On the morning of 1/10, the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department (C04), under the Ministry of Public Security, announced that in coordination with the Environmental Crime Prevention and Control Police Department (C05), it had initiated three cases and prosecuted 28 defendants for forgery in official duties, according to Clause 2, Article 359 of the Penal Code.

The individuals prosecuted include high-ranking officials and staff across various scientific and technical institutions:

At the Institute of Energy and Environmental Science and Technology (affiliated with the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology), a director and a former center director in Ho Chi Minh City were prosecuted, along with a deputy director in Da Nang, two department heads, two deputy heads, and one employee in Hanoi.

Items seized. Photo: Pham Ha

At the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (under the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor), the director and deputy director of the Occupational Environment Monitoring and Analysis Station were prosecuted, along with a department head and a deputy head in Hanoi. In the Central Sub-institute, police prosecuted the director, deputy director, and a department head and deputy head.

At the Center for Environment and Clean Production (under the Department of Industrial Safety Engineering & Environment, Ministry of Industry and Trade), one center director, one deputy director, one department head, and two deputy heads were prosecuted.

At the Center for Environmental Engineering and Chemical Safety (under the Vietnam Institute of Industrial Chemistry, Vietnam National Chemical Group, Ministry of Finance), one director, two deputy directors, one department head, two deputy heads, and one employee were prosecuted.

Inside a lab. Photo: Pham Ha

Initial investigations reveal a systematic scheme of data manipulation. The defendants altered environmental monitoring analysis results from "failing" to "passing". Furthermore, sample collection procedures were not properly followed, creating a system described as "selling papers for money" to issue reports to units requesting monitoring. This illicit activity had been ongoing for a long time.

Beyond forgery, authorities are investigating additional serious charges. C04 also identified signs of embezzlement, abuse of power to appropriate property, illegal sale of invoices, and tax evasion. The department is continuing its efforts to gather evidence, including forensic analysis, data extraction, and recovery, to clarify and expand the investigation.

Police are committed to apprehending and thoroughly prosecuting masterminds, ringleaders, and active accomplices involved in these criminal acts.