Prosecution of violations in durian export activities

On November 5, information from the Ministry of Public Security said that the Department of Police Investigation of Crimes of Corruption, Economy, and Smuggling (Ministry of Public Security) has initiated a case and prosecuted 17 defendants related to violations in the export of durian to China.

Through the work of grasping the situation, the Department of Police Investigation of Crimes of Corruption, Economy, and Smuggling (Ministry of Public Security) discovered that in the business and export of durian from Vietnam to China, there was a situation of buying and selling growing area codes, buying and selling inspection certificates, and many violations of accounting regulations.

These acts cause particularly serious damage to State assets, affect the operations of legitimate businesses, lead to durian exports of incorrect origin, do not meet standards, reduce the reputation and competitiveness of Vietnamese agricultural products, especially durian. Based on the results of the investigation, collection of documents and evidence, on November 3, the Department of Police Investigation of Crimes of Corruption, Economy, and Smuggling prosecuted the case "Bribery, Receiving bribes, Bribery brokerage, Violating accounting regulations causing serious consequences, Taking advantage of influence over people with positions and powers for personal gain”, occurred at the Center for Verification and Quality Services (Retaq), NhoNho Technology Company Limited, Thuy Fruit Company Limited and a number of related units; at the same time, 17 defendants were prosecuted. Of these, 7 defendants were prosecuted for the crime of "Receiving bribes" according to the provisions of Article 354 of the Penal Code, including: Tran Dang Ninh, Director of the Center for Verification and Quality Services (Retaq); Nguyen Manh Duy, Retaq employee; Hoang Ba Nghi, Chairman of the Board of Members of NhoNho Technology Company Limited; Dinh Hoang Thien, Director of NhoNho Company; Le Sy Nghi, Director of the NhoNho Company Testing Center; Nguyen Truong, Deputy Director of the NhoNho Company Testing Center; and Vu Duc Hai, Director of Scitech Joint Stock Company. In addition, 4 defendants were prosecuted for the crime of "Giving bribes" bribery" as prescribed in Article 364 of the Penal Code, including: Nguyen Thi Yen Nhi, Director of Branch 3 of Thuy Fruit Company Limited; Ha Thi Thuy, Director of Thao Nguyen Ha Giang Company; Do Ngoc Trung, Director of Duc Phuc Company; and Vu Thanh Trung, Director of JiuYi Company. One defendant was prosecuted for the two crimes of "Giving bribes" and "Violating accounting regulations causing serious consequences", as prescribed in Articles 364 and 221 of the Penal Code, namely Le Thi Bich Thuy, Director of Thuy Fruit Company Limited. Three defendants were prosecuted for the crime of "Brokering bribes" as prescribed in Article 365 of the Penal Code, including: Ngo Thi Lua, Director of Tan Hoang Linh Company; Doan Thi Xuan; and Vu Quang Phuc, member of the Dak Lak Province Durian Association. One defendant was prosecuted for the crime of "Violating accounting regulations causing serious consequences" as prescribed in Article 221 of the Penal Code, namely Vo Phuong Hoang, accountant of Thuy Fruit Company Limited. Defendant Pham Thanh Tri was prosecuted for the crime of "Taking advantage of influence over people with positions and powers for personal gain" according to Article 366 of the Penal Code. Regarding preventive measures, the investigation agency applied the form of banning from leaving the place of residence for 3 defendants: Do Ngoc Trung, Vu Quang Phuc and Nguyen Thi Yen Nhi; temporarily detained the remaining 14 defendants. After being approved by the Supreme People's Procuracy (Department 3), the Police Department for Investigation of Crimes of Corruption, Economy, and Smuggling has implemented the above decisions and orders in accordance with the provisions of law. Currently, the Police Department for Investigation of Crimes of Corruption, Economy, and Smuggling is continuing to consolidate documents and evidence to clarify the criminal acts of the defendants who have been prosecuted; at the same time, expanding the investigation, comprehensively and thoroughly handling the organized violations of the defendants and related individuals. The investigation agency is also verifying and listing border, freeze assets to completely recover the appropriated assets for the State.