On 19/9, Vinh Long Provincial Police announced they are temporarily detaining Minh, 68, from Hiep Duc commune, Dong Thap province, to carry out legal procedures.

Tran Hoang Minh at the police station. Photo: Vinh Long Police

According to police records, in the 1980s, Minh was involved in property theft in Vinh Long and Hau Giang. In 1987, the People's Court of former Hau Giang province sentenced him to 10 years in prison for the crimes of stealing socialist property, stealing citizen's property, and escaping detention.

In 1990, while serving his sentence, Minh escaped from prison. He went to Ngai Tu commune, Vinh Long, where he lived with a woman and engaged in river trade. During this period, he committed three additional thefts, with a total property value of approximately 250 million dong.

In late 1995, Minh was re-arrested. However, on 23/6/1996, he escaped from the temporary detention center again. The Criminal Investigation Department of Vinh Long Provincial Police subsequently issued a wanted warrant.

For 30 years, the man nicknamed "Bandit general Hoang Minh" evaded capture across many provinces in the Mekong Delta and Southeast regions, constantly changing his identity to Tran Van Minh, Tran Hoang Lui, Ha Hoang Lui, and severing all contact with his hometown in Tien Giang.

During a recent crackdown targeting wanted fugitives, through careful review, information gathering, and public support, Vinh Long Provincial Police identified Minh's hiding place and organized his arrest.

An Binh