On 8/8, Son La provincial police announced that the investigative police agency had prosecuted and detained 42 people for violating regulations on resource exploitation and illegal possession and use of explosives.

Police read the indictment to the defendants. Photo: Cao Thien

According to the police, the masterminds were Dinh Van Tuan, 49, residing in Hanoi, and Nguyen Van Vinh, 36, residing in Hai Phong. Between March and July, Tuan and Vinh directed over 60 people in the illegal gold mining operation in the forest ravine area of Suoi Chat village, Gia Phu commune. The total estimated value of the refined gold and gold ore is over 5 billion VND.

During the search of the scene on the night of the 15th and early morning of 16/7, police confiscated numerous machines, explosives, refined gold, ledgers, and related documents. Searching other locations, police seized 1,000 kg of ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) used for blasting and rock breaking in the gold mining tunnels.

In total, authorities seized 1,412 electric detonators, 31 kg of ammonium nitrate explosives, 5 ore grinders, 2 high-powered generators, 1.3 taels of refined gold, and 1 small scale.