Hanoi police dismantle large-scale blueberry smuggling ring.

The Hanoi City Police Investigation Agency has successfully dismantled a large-scale cross-border fruit smuggling ring. The suspects illegally transported over 18 tons of fresh blueberries through northern border crossings for sale in the domestic market.

The smuggling of tens of tons of fresh blueberries.

According to initial investigations, in March 2026, Duong The Manh organized the smuggling of fresh blueberries from abroad into Vietnam through the Kim Thanh international border gate. The total weight of the smuggled goods in this operation was determined to be 5,574 kg, with a value equivalent to over 1.4 billion VND.

Expanding the investigation, the police clarified that from the beginning of 2026 until his arrest, Duong The Manh had also carried out many other smuggling shipments through the Tan Thanh international border gate in Lang Son province. The amount of smuggled blueberries in this area reached 13,086 kg.

Notably, the perpetrators' modus operandi was to purchase goods at prices ranging from 300,000 to 480,000 VND/kg, then distribute them to large chain stores and supermarkets at prices from 500,000 to 700,000 VND/kg to profit from the difference. The total value of smuggled goods during this period is estimated at over 9.6 billion VND.

Prosecution and detention of the individuals involved.

Based on the documents and evidence collected, on May 19, 2026, the investigating agency issued a decision to initiate a criminal case, a decision to prosecute the defendants, and an order to detain three individuals: Duong The Manh, Ta Vinh Quy, and Duong Minh Cong, for the crime of smuggling.

Currently, the Hanoi City Police are continuing to focus their efforts on expanding the investigation to clarify the entire network and all individuals and organizations involved in the largest fruit smuggling case ever recorded in the area.