Major Phan Manh Hung: The honor belongs to the comrades

Major Phan Manh Hung, Team Leader, Drug Crime Investigation Police Department, Nghe An Provincial Police - one of the outstanding young faces of 2014 honored by the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union - talked with Nghe An Newspaper.

- Hello Major Phan Manh Hung, let me say this, "judging a book by its cover", your appearance makes people think you are not suitable for the job of fighting dangerous criminals, what do you think?

- I graduated from the Police Academy in 2002 and was assigned by my superiors to work at the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department, Nghe An Provincial Police. Perhaps the organization recognized that I had a certain compatible quality in investigating and solving drug cases. The state and style come from practice. Over time, it became an occupational disease, but it was an advantage in playing a role, going undercover, investigating and solving drug cases. During 13 years of work, many times my teammates in other areas "kept" me back to question me because they suspected I was addicted!

Major Phan Manh Hung, Team Leader, Drug Crime Investigation Police Department, Nghe An Provincial Police

- In 13 years of working, how many projects have you participated in? And which project do you remember the most?

- It is difficult to remember how many drug projects I have participated in and directly advised on; for me, the cases, the heroin cakes, the number of criminals are not achievements but heartbreaking numbers... There are many memorable projects, such as Project 838H, which I established and chaired, which was successfully solved on July 31, 2012, arresting 6 subjects and seizing 255 heroin cakes; Project 614K arrested "boss" Nguyen Quoc Khanh and his accomplices, seizing 20 heroin cakes on August 19, 2014; then the case of arresting a group of 43 subjects using ecstasy at Avarta nightclub in 2011; the case of arresting the couple Nguyen Trong Diep and Nguyen Thi Nga in Con Cuong on July 24, 2006, who were HIV-infected and used guns to fight back while transporting 2.5 heroin cakes to Vinh for consumption...

- When facing this type of dangerous crime, have you ever been injured or discouraged? What do you consider a successful case?

- In 13 years of fighting drug crimes, I was lucky to have never been injured even though I was shot twice. Standing between life and death, if I said I did not feel scared, I would be lying, but to say I was discouraged, I was not. My teammates and I are always aware: People's police officers stand on the front line of preventing and fighting drug crimes. If we falter and retreat, it means that behind us there will be many people who will die, many families will be broken because of drugs. A case is called successful when and only when the entire crime ring is completely destroyed. In that case, all plans are well prepared, no officers or soldiers are injured or killed; each project carried out is a valuable experience, thereby helping us continue to fight effectively....

- You were awarded the Third Class Military Exploit Medal by the President; Certificates of Merit by the Minister of Public Security, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; the title of Emulation Fighter of the entire force... Especially, you were recently honored as the Outstanding Young Vietnamese Face 2014, how did you feel when you were honored?

- In fact, I feel very surprised but also very honored and proud to be honored. That is a source of encouragement and motivation to continue working hard, ready to endure difficulties and hardships, and fight worthy of the responsibility assigned to me. And receiving the honor and reward this time, as well as the previous times, I realize that I am only a representative of many comrades in the unit. Because my comrades, all of them are brave, have many achievements, and share the same heart and will, always ready to fall for the people, for each other. They are all very worthy. In all their achievements, I am only the one who contributes a small part.

- Thank you for this conversation!

Thanh Son(Perform)