On 9/7, Hanoi police announced the investigation and detainment of Le Van Tuoi, Dang Van Huy, Du Dinh Hoi, and Nguyen Viet Chiem for violating food safety regulations.

Tuoi owned a slaughterhouse, Huy supplied him with diseased pigs, while Hoi and Chiem operated pork stalls in local markets.

Authorities inspect diseased pork at Phung Khoang market. Photo: Provided by the police.

Authorities discovered nearly 800 kg of contaminated pork at Hoi and Chiem's stalls in Phung Khoang market, Dai Mo ward. Tests confirmed the presence of African swine fever (ASF), a dangerous infectious disease requiring product destruction. The meat was deemed unfit for human consumption.

Since the beginning of the year, Hoi had been purchasing dead pigs from various individuals in Ung Hoa and My Duc districts, and Hoa Binh province for 20,000 VND/kg. He transported the carcasses to his residence in Hoa Xa, Hanoi for processing.

After butchering the pigs at home, Hoi transported the meat to his Phung Khoang market stall. He and his wife processed and sold the contaminated pork to customers, disguising it with pig blood to mimic the appearance of fresh meat and mixing it with legitimate pork products.

At Chiem's stall, police seized 426 kg of pork exhibiting signs of contamination and ASF infection. Like Hoi, Chiem purchased dead pigs for 20,000 VND/kg, processed them at home, and then transported them to his stall for sale.

Chiem typically sold between 5 and 7 pigs, totaling approximately one ton, daily. Some of his customers resold the contaminated meat to other vendors and eateries for profit.

Suspect Le Van Tuoi at the police station. Photo: Provided by the police.

Tuoi, the owner of a slaughterhouse in Dan Nhiem village, Khanh Ha commune, Thuong Tin district, admitted to purchasing diseased pigs and selling the meat to vendors at wholesale markets. He slaughtered between 40 and 50 pigs daily between 12:30 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. Tuoi purchased the diseased pigs for 35,000 to 40,000 VND/kg and sold the meat for 55,000 to 60,000 VND/kg.

Compared to the market price on 9/7 (fat at 90,000 VND/kg, pork belly at 165,000 VND/kg), Tuoi’s selling price was less than half.

Police identified Huy, 38, a resident of Tung Thien ward, as the supplier of diseased pigs to Tuoi’s slaughterhouse.