Lang Son Province Police announced today that the investigative police agency has indicted Huwa Van Chinh, 46, deputy director of the Center for Environmental Resources, along with his subordinate Huwa Thi Ngan, 39, deputy head of the environmental technical department. They are being investigated for falsification in official duties, under Article 359 of the Penal Code.

The Center for Environmental Resources, a unit under the Lang Son Department of Agriculture and Environment, is responsible for providing environmental monitoring services to various businesses and organizations within the province.

Investigators allege that during the provision of these services, the two defendants colluded and exchanged information with businesses regarding environmental parameter results after analysis. This was reportedly done to facilitate, support, and retain clients, ensuring their continued use of the center's services.

Police executing an order with Huwa Van Chinh. Photo: Provided by Police.

Following initial analysis, the center's officials allegedly altered the parameters to appear higher than the original analytical results, at the request of businesses. This was done without conducting re-sampling or re-analysis, contrary to regulations.

According to the investigative agency, these actions falsified official documents and the environmental monitoring results of businesses and organizations. Such acts undermined the proper operations of state agencies and organizations, creating a risk of environmental pollution and negatively impacting public health.

Most recently, the Ministry of Public Security also indicted 28 leaders and officials across 10 laboratories at three research institutes and one center for falsification in official duties. This group was accused of altering monitoring analysis data from failed to passed, in a practice described as "selling papers for money".

Police executing a search warrant at the Center for Environmental Resources. Photo: Provided by Police.