Authorities dismantled an inter-provincial smuggling ring dealing in nearly 250 kg of illegal fireworks.
An inter-provincial firework smuggling ring, involving nearly 250 kg of smuggled fireworks, has been dismantled by the Criminal Police Department of Nghe An Provincial Police in coordination with relevant units, with initial arrests of four suspects.
Through intelligence gathering, in early October 2024, the Criminal Police Department discovered a group of individuals involved in transporting and trading large quantities of prohibited goods from Quang Tri province to Nghe An province and other provinces for distribution. This group operated with extremely sophisticated and audacious methods, using social media to change communication methods and frequently changing means of transport and delivery locations, making the police's efforts to combat this crime very difficult.
Recognizing this as a complex case involving numerous individuals and inter-provincial operations to transport and trade large quantities of smuggled fireworks, the Criminal Police Department reported to the provincial police leadership to establish a special task force to combat the crime.
During the investigation and verification process, the police determined that Le Van Hoai (born in 1991), residing in Tan Hop commune, Huong Hoa district, Quang Tri province, and Hoang Dinh Minh (born in 1977), residing in Trung Hai commune, Gio Linh district, Quang Tri province, were the two ringleaders of the inter-provincial firework trafficking and trading ring. After purchasing the fireworks in the border area, Le Van Hoai and Hoang Dinh Minh hired Nguyen Duc Phu (born in 1990), residing in Kim Thach commune, Vinh Linh district, Quang Tri province, to transport and supply them to distributors inside and outside the province.
In Nghe An province, Phan Van Luong (born in 1982), residing in Nghia Xuan commune, Quy Hop district, was the direct contact for trading and buying fireworks from Hoai and Minh, then distributing them for sale in Nghe An province.
Following a period of surveillance and the coordinated application of various operational measures, on October 26, 2024, on National Highway 48 in Nghia Thuan commune, Thai Hoa town, the Criminal Police Department, in coordination with the professional departments of the Provincial Police and Road Traffic Police Team No. 1 (Traffic Police Department), ambushed and arrested Hoang Dinh Minh while he was transporting a large quantity of firecrackers from Quang Tri to trade with Phan Van Luong in Nghe An province; nearly 100 kg of firecrackers were seized as evidence.
On the same day, the Investigation Police Department of Nghe An province executed an emergency search warrant at the residences of Phan Van Luong and Hoang Dinh Minh, and also executed an emergency search warrant and an emergency detention order against Le Van Hoai; seizing nearly 150 kg of firecrackers.
Currently, the investigative agency has placed the four suspects under temporary criminal detention for further investigation into the case.
