Stealing signs, removing power transmission poles to sell... scrap metal to get money to buy drugs

On January 24, Quy Chau District Police said they were temporarily detaining Nguyen Minh Hao (born 1994) and Sam Van Thai (born 1985), both residing in Chau Hanh Commune, Quy Chau District, to clarify the act of "Theft of property".

Sam Van Thai (blue shirt) and Nguyen Minh Hao at the police investigation agency of Quy Chau district police. Photo: Nhu Binh

From October 2021 to present, in Quy Chau district, there has been a situation oftheftThe poles and traffic signs on Highway 48 through the Ke Le slope area, Chau Hoi commune. Meanwhile, the 110kV transmission poles of the Nam Bong Hydropower Plant connecting to the National Grid in the border area between Hoa Hai block, Tan Lac town and Ke Ninh village, Chau Hanh commune were also stolen by thieves who removed the braces, screws, steps, etc.

Quy Chau District Police have established a special investigation team. On January 22, 2022, Nguyen Minh Hao and Sam Van Thai were arrested.

Initially, the subjects admitted to committing a series of thefts targeting poles, traffic signs and power transmission poles to get iron to sell to buy drugs. The total value of the stolen assets was about 40 million VND.

Quy Chau District Police are continuing to fight to promptly handle Nguyen Minh Hao and Sam Van Thai according to the law.