Journey to 'raise the net' at a 'huge' gambling den hidden deep in the forest in Nghe An

Gambling den in the border area

In early April 2020, while the whole society was actively implementing urgent measures to prevent the Covid-19 epidemic, in the mountainous forest area bordering the two communes of Tan Hop and Giai Xuan (Tan Ky district) adjacent to the two communes of Chau Ly and Ha Son of Quy Hop district, a "huge" gambling den appeared. This gambling den was set up by a number of subjects in the communes of Giai Xuan and Nghia Thai (Tan Ky) to organize for subjects in the districts of Tan Ky, Thai Hoa, Nghi Loc to gamble in the form of "dice shaking".

Subjects at the police station. Photo: Quynh Trang

Having a criminal record for gambling, the subjects have a lot of experience and tricks to conceal their crimes. This gambling den does not operate in a specific location, but constantly moves in the large forest. To deal with the discovery and arrest of the police force, the subjects organizing the gambling den always have people closely guarding from afar day and night, and when they see any movement, they quickly signal so that the gamblers can spread out in all directions and quickly hide in the deep forest.

To enter the gambling location, gamblers must pass through many security checkpoints. If they are regular customers, they will be guided and shown the way to the gambling location. New customers must park their vehicles far away outside, then be taken by a “shuttle” vehicle to the gambling location.

With such sophisticated and secretive tricks, the gamblers thought they could fool the authorities. However, with sharp professional measures, this gambling den was quickly destroyed by the police at dusk.

More than 30 gamblers were "robbed"

Recognizing that this is a complex social evil that needs to be vigorously fought and eradicated, the leaders of Tan Ky District Police held a meeting and directed the establishment of a special project led by Lieutenant Colonel Pham Vu Cuong, Chief of District Police, as Head of the project. After verifying, grasping the movements and methods of operation of the subjects, and surveying the locations where the subjects gambled, the project team developed a specific plan and method of arrest.

Three of the 26 subjects were prosecuted for “organizing gambling” and “gambling” with the evidence. Photo: Quynh Trang

Determining that on April 8, 2020, the subjects would gather to gamble, the Task Force organized forces with means and tools to secretly approach the scene. At about 4:30 p.m. the same day, when the subjects were engrossed in gambling in the mountainous forest area of ​​Giai Xuan commune bordering Tan Hop and Chau Ly communes (Quy Hop), from the ambush locations, 4 working groups simultaneously raided and arrested them.

Although the gamblers fled into the forest to hide, the task force arrested 34 men and women, confiscating 249,000,000 VND in gambling money, 15 motorbikes, 5 cars of various types, and more than 50 mobile phones.

Investigators take statements from gambling participants. Photo: Bong Mai

After bringing the subjects to the police station, the Investigation Police Agency of Tan Ky District Police focused on fighting, classifying, and consolidating evidence of the gambling behavior of the related gamblers and decided to temporarily detain 23 subjects, and at the same time organized the arrest of 3 subjects who had previously escaped.

On April 17, after 9 days of investigation and evidence collection, the District Police Department issued a decision to prosecute the case, prosecuting 3 defendants for the crime of "organizing gambling" including: Tran Dinh Truc (born in 1977), residing in Nuoc Xanh hamlet, Giai Xuan commune, Vu Van Phuc (born in 1988), residing in Vien Thai hamlet, Nghia Thai commune (Tan Ky district) and Vu Van Phu (born in 1993), residing in Dong Nang hamlet, Ha Son commune, Quy Hop district. At the same time, 23 defendants were prosecuted for the crime of "gambling".

Conducting investigation measures, the Investigation Agency has ordered the temporary detention of 12 defendants including: Tran Dinh Truc, Vu Van Phuc, Dang Xuan Cuong (born in 1967) residing in Dong Hieu commune, Thai Hoa town, Le Van Hung (born in 1985), Tran Ba ​​Truong (born in 1971), Le Van Dong (born in 1983), Tran Van Chau (born in 1987) all residing in Dong Van commune, Nguyen Van Tan (born in 1969), Phan Van Tuyen (born in 1989) all residing in Nghia Thai commune, Tran Viet Soi (born in 1986) residing in Nghia Phuc commune, Bui Ba Mui (born in 1958) residing in Tan Hop commune and Ngo Thi Hang (born in 1980) residing in Tan Hop commune (Tan Ky district). These are subjects with criminal records, gambling subjects with the main role and often participating in gambling, with an insincere attitude in reporting.

Currently, the Investigation Police Agency (Tan Ky District Police) is continuing to investigate and expand the case, organizing the capture of the remaining suspects who are on the run.

The police also called on those involved in the above case to quickly surrender to enjoy leniency under the law.