The Supreme People's Procuracy detailed the actions of Hung, a former officer of the Saigon Port Customs Sub-Department Area 1, in an indictment that also outlined a series of violations by Phan Thanh Muon, Chairman of Hung Thinh Mineral Group.

Hung is being prosecuted for receiving bribes, specifically nearly 8.6 billion VND. This sum was allegedly paid to him to overlook violations by individuals processing customs procedures, thereby assisting Chinese traders in illegally exporting 28,000 tons of ore valued at nearly 96 billion VND.

**Bribes paid, ore samples swapped in containers**

According to the indictment, Huang Shang Xia (also known as Hoang Thuong Ha), a Chinese trader, sought to purchase titanium ore from Vietnamese companies for sale to Chinese enterprises. However, this type of ore did not meet export standards, containing only 51-52% titanium, which is below the minimum 56% requirement. Consequently, Xia discussed with his girlfriend, Tran Thi Le Vi Van, a plan to hire Vietnamese legal entities to sign contracts, handle procedures, and collude with customs officers to legalize the export documents.

From 12/2023 to 7/2024, Van hired Phung Van Thanh, Director of Chau Thanh Import-Export Trading Co., Ltd., to sign four contracts. These contracts were for the purchase of 23,000 tons of ore from Song Binh Company (part of Rang Dong Group) and 5,000 tons from Tu Doanh Company (part of Hung Thinh Mineral Group).

Thanh then hired Do Tien Hai, Director of Hung Ha Co., Ltd., to manage the full export procedures. Thanh also issued a blank letter of introduction for Hai to work with Cat Lai Port Customs Area 1.

To facilitate the procedures, Hai proactively contacted Le Van Hung, a cargo inspection officer, proposing to use compliant ore samples to replace the actual samples in the containers. Hung agreed, stipulating a payment of 3-9 million VND per container to overlook the violations.

During the first shipment to Cat Lai Port, to open the customs declaration, samples were taken from the containers. Instead of sealing them on site, they were brought to Hung's office for swapping. The compliant samples, prepared by Hai, were then sealed, sent for appraisal, and filed, while the non-compliant samples were discarded. Once the compliant certificates were obtained, Hung included them in the documentation to complete the customs clearance.

This tactic was repeated for subsequent shipments. Investigators determined that from 1/2024 to 8/2024, Hai and Nam met Hung 22 times, handing over a total of approximately 8.6 billion VND. This enabled the opening of 22 declarations and the illegal export of nearly 28,000 tons of ore, valued at approximately 96 billion VND.

Defendant Hoang Thuong Ha. Photo: Ministry of Public Security

**Ore purchased at high prices, contracts declared tens of billions lower**

Authorities identified Huang Shang Xia, who has resided in Vietnam since 2009, as an employee of Guangxi Liufeng Mining (China) and also a buyer of ore for other Chinese enterprises. Between 2023 and 2024, Xia arranged with Phan Thanh Muon and Nguyen Thi Phuong Thu, former Business Department Head of Song Binh Company, to purchase titanium ore from Hung Thinh Mineral Group and Song Binh Company. The method involved invoicing at a price lower than the actual transaction price.

Xia instructed Van to contact partners, finalize prices, hire domestic legal entities to sign contracts, organize transportation, and handle customs procedures. He also directed the falsification of quality declarations and the swapping of ore samples for export using the aforementioned method.

From 12/2023 to 7/2024, Van hired Thanh's company to sign four contracts for the purchase of 28,000 tons of ore. The declared value on these contracts was over 81.5 billion VND, but the actual value exceeded 104.3 billion VND. The difference of approximately 22.8 billion VND, outside the contracts, was transferred or paid in cash to partners as instructed. This undeclared amount was kept off the books by the leadership of Hung Thinh Mineral Group and Rang Dong Group, resulting in tax losses for the state.

During investigations, the defendants admitted to all their violations.

Xia, Van, and Thanh are charged with smuggling. Do Tien Hai faces charges of both smuggling and giving bribes.

Hung Thinh Company's titanium mine in Hoa Thang commune temporarily suspended operations due to investigation, 17/1/2025. Photo: Viet Quoc

In this case, Muon is accused of directing the exploitation of over 612,000 tons of crude ore, equivalent to approximately 559,000 tons of heavy minerals, while overseeing Hung Thinh Mineral Group's operations from 2020 to 2024. Of this, about 460,000 tons, valued at over 1.508 billion VND, exceeded the permitted limits.

To avoid penalties for these violations, Muon allegedly directed the payment of 1.6 billion VND to bribe the 117 Supervisory Team under the Binh Thuan Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Additionally, during the sale of ore, Muon and his accomplices agreed to sell goods at actual prices higher than those recorded on contracts and invoices. The undeclared difference resulted in tax losses for the state exceeding 50 billion VND.

Muon is charged with violating regulations on resource research, exploration, and exploitation; violating accounting regulations causing serious consequences; and giving bribes.

Twenty other defendants face charges including receiving bribes, smuggling, tax evasion, violating resource exploitation regulations, or abusing position and power while performing official duties. Among them, the Chairman of Rang Dong Group is accused of tax evasion.

Hai Duyen