On 23/7, Nhut was arrested and detained by Dak Lak provincial police for forging documents of agencies and organizations, and using forged documents.

Tran Le Lam Phuong, a center employee, was prosecuted for the same offense.

Doan Ba Nhut at the time of his arrest. Photo: Dak Lak Police

Doan Ba Nhut at the time of his arrest. Photo: Dak Lak Police

Investigators allege that from 10/2019 to 2024, the PNE Environmental Center's certification for environmental monitoring services was invalid, and the center lacked qualified personnel and laboratory facilities. Despite this, Director Nhut signed environmental service contracts with nearly 100 organizations and individuals in Dak Lak, Gia Lai, Lam Dong provinces, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Nhut directed Phuong and other employees to forge 1,058 analysis and test reports on environmental monitoring (air and water quality, occupational environment, etc. for organizations such as hospitals and medical centers), earning billions of Vietnamese dong illegally. According to investigators, the falsified environmental impact assessment reports did not reflect the actual environmental conditions, posing a long-term threat to the ecosystem.

Expanding their investigation, authorities prosecuted Le Trong Huy Truong (47, Head of General Administration Department at Dak Nong Nhan Co Vinacomin Aluminum Company); Mai Thanh Tung (32, Deputy Head of Safety and Environment Department at Dak Nong Nhan Co Vinacomin Aluminum Company); and Le Manh Hung (45, former Deputy Director of Lak District Medical Center) for bribery.

These individuals are accused of facilitating contracts between the PNE Environmental Center and their respective organizations, receiving 30-35% of the contract value from Nhut.

Tran Hoa