On the evening of 28/7, the Ministry of Public Security announced that the Anti-Corruption, Economic, and Smuggling Crime Investigation Police Department had initiated criminal proceedings and detained Hoang Trung, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment, and Nguyen Quang Hieu, Deputy Director of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, on charges of bribery.

Investigators are clarifying how the two officials allegedly abused their positions and authority to issue illegal policies, including suspected "sub-licenses," to serve group interests and illicitly gain substantial personal profits.

Furthermore, they are under investigation for interfering with and directing subordinates to issue fraudulent inspection certificates and growing area codes, as well as for the illegal buying and selling of these growing area codes and packaging facility codes.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Hoang Trung speaking with businesses at a conference on the morning of 14/5 in TP HCM. *Photo: Thi Ha*

These violations caused severe damage to the legal rights and interests of durian growers and export businesses, resulted in significant revenue loss for the state budget, and negatively impacted the reputation and brand of Vietnam's entire agricultural sector.

Also arrested on the same day were Nguyen Thi Ha, Chief of Regional Quarantine Sub-department 7 (under the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection), and Be Thi Thu Hien, Head of Huu Nghi - Lang Son Quarantine Station, on charges of forgery in public service.

These arrests are part of authorities' expanded investigation into a case involving the Quality Verification and Testing Service Center, NhoNho Technology Co., Ltd., Thuy Fruit Co., Ltd., and other related entities and individuals, concerning durian export activities to China.

In 11/2025, 8 directors involved in a network for buying and selling growing area codes and inspection certificates for durian export from Vietnam to China were arrested in connection with this case.

Currently, the Anti-Corruption, Economic, and Smuggling Crime Investigation Police Department continues to focus resources, expand the investigation, clarify the violations of all involved defendants in state management agencies, inspection units, and entities granted growing area codes and packaging facilities, proposing legal action and thorough asset recovery for the state.

Thanh Lam