Journey to destroy a drug trafficking ring of 640 kg in the Central region
In order to not lose track of the drug-carrying vehicle, Ha Tinh Provincial Police detectives took turns following the vehicle from the Ha Tinh border to Vinh city.
In early 2019, the Ha Tinh Provincial Police Department of Drug Crime Investigation discovered a transnational drug ring led by two Laotians. The goods were taken from the Golden Triangle area, then divided into small packages, packed into speakers, wrapped in cardboard boxes, and hired a truck driver to transport them through the Cau Treo international border gate (Huong Son district) into the interior.
When crossing the Vietnam border, drugs are gathered in Ha Tinh, then transported to Nghe An, Thanh Hoa or Ho Chi Minh City and then sold in a third country. In each locality, there will be someone responsible for transportation and distribution. In Ha Tinh, the job is assigned to Vo Van Giap (45 years old, resident of Huong Son district).
Ha Tinh police coordinated with Lao police to go to the Golden Triangle area, infiltrating famous entertainment spots in the Land of a Million Elephants to collect evidence. Due to the remote location, language and cultural differences, the investigation encountered many difficulties, and at times, the clues were erased as soon as they were revealed.
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Ha Tinh Provincial Police sealed and brought drugs to headquarters for counting. Photo:CA |
"Giap often went to Laos to connect with drug lords there to make money from drugs. In the area under his control, after receiving the goods, he often hired strangers to take them to the collection point. Many workers who were paid well by him accepted the job without knowing they were transporting drugs," the detective said.
On April 15, receiving information that Giap was about to transport hundreds of kilograms of crystal meth from the border area of Huong Son district (Ha Tinh) to Vinh city (Nghe An) and then distribute it in other areas, Ha Tinh Provincial Police coordinated with the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department (C04, Ministry of Public Security) and many other forces to organize an arrest.
At noon that same day, Giap hired a man to drive a truck carrying drugs on National Highway 8A from Cau Treo Border Gate downstream. "It was easy to control this driver, but doing so only resulted in the seizure of drugs and could not arrest the ringleaders. The task force then decided to send people to follow the truck," said the investigator.
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Drugs were hidden in speakers, wrapped in cardboard boxes. Photo:CA |
Many working groups were ordered to lie in wait on National Highways 8A and 1A. The scouts changed clothes, disguised themselves as passersby, and followed them in cars and motorbikes. To avoid being discovered, the Task Force ordered another group to follow the truck every 10 kilometers to take turns following it all the way to Vinh City.
At around 3pm, the truck carrying drugs arrived at a level 4 house in lane 161, Phung Chi Kien Street (Vinh City), at which time 4 men were loading the goods. The investigation team determined that this was an opportunity to make a clean catch, because the location was deserted, and moreover, when caught, it would not affect as many people as when the truck was running on the national highway.
More than 150 police officers were mobilized to block all roads and surround the house. While the group of smugglers were working, detectives rushed in to control the scene and seized 580 kg of crystal meth and 40 heroin bars hidden in a speaker box, wrapped in cardboard.
Based on the above statements, another task force was sent to Huong Son district to arrest Giap. Searching his house in Tay Son town, the police seized 60 heroin cakes, 60 kg of crystal meth, 9 savings books worth more than 7.5 billion VND; 3 loan papers worth 14 billion VND along with many land use right certificates and related documents.
According to a police officer, 1 kg of crystal meth and heroin bought from the Golden Triangle area costs about 300 million VND, and is even cheaper if bought from a general agent. When entering Vietnam, drug criminals divide it into retail sales and make 4 times more profit. With the above amount of drugs, the drug lords spend about 200 billion VND, but earn huge profits if they succeed.
By April 29, the total amount of drugs seized in the case was 640 kg of crystal meth and 100 heroin cakes. Ha Tinh police have prosecuted and temporarily detained Giap for the crime.Illegal drug trafficking, according to Article 250 of the 2015 Penal Code. The five people previously arrested were temporarily determined to be unrelated to the case.