The trial of 25 defendants in the case involving the Region VI Animal Health Sub-Department – a unit formerly under the Department of Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development – and related entities continued with questioning on the afternoon of 3/2.

Towards the end of the afternoon session, the Trial Panel focused its questioning on a group of defendants from the Region VI Animal Health Sub-Department. This group included: Bach Duc Luu (former director), Tran Trung Nhan (former head of the Animal Quarantine Station), Ly Hoai Vu (former deputy director), Nguyen Minh Thanh (former deputy head of the Port-Post Animal Quarantine Station), and Nguyen Van Trung (former quarantine officer).

These defendants are accused of receiving money from businesses that illegally imported hundreds of thousands of tons of animal-derived raw materials, valued at over 2,000 billion VND, from prohibited regions for livestock feed production. They face charges of receiving bribes, lack of responsibility causing serious consequences, and abuse of power and authority while on duty.

Defendant Bach Duc Luu in court today. Photo: Tran Quynh

According to the indictment, starting in 2018, to facilitate their operations, Tran Nguyen Binh (43 years old, Director of Hoang Sa Nutrition Import-Export Co., Ltd.) and his wife colluded with Tran Trung Nhan to bribe several leaders and quarantine officers of the Region VI Animal Health Sub-Department, totaling approximately 2,9 billion VND.

In addition, Nhan also received money from various "satellite" businesses, including Trung Chinh Investment and Development Co., Ltd., Vietnam Goods Agency Co., Nutrition Solutions Co., Ltd., Viet Future Trading Co., Ltd., and Vietnam Production and Trading Transport Co., Ltd., amounting to approximately 3 billion VND during the same period.

The collection and expenditure of funds at the quarantine station were organized systematically, with the involvement of Nguyen Minh Thanh, the deputy head. He served as the central point for collecting money from businesses importing frozen animal products, consolidating it, and then submitting it to Nhan. Every two to three months, Thanh would give Nhan 30-100 million VND; the total amount transferred to his superior was about one billion VND.

Overall, Tran Trung Nhan directly received, and collected through subordinates, nearly 7 billion VND. This money was distributed according to an "unwritten rule": Director Bach Duc Luu received 1,2 billion VND; Deputy Director Ly Hoai Vu received 800 million VND; Nhan personally profited one billion VND, retaining about 500 million VND for entertainment and "diplomacy"; the remaining amount was equally divided among the quarantine officers, with each receiving 5-7 million VND per month, to ensure the entire system overlooked control procedures.

The consequences of this collusion became evident when authorities discovered that some confiscated products in the supply chain tested positive for African swine fever and Newcastle disease, having bypassed quarantine barriers and directly threatening the domestic agricultural sector.

Responding to the Trial Panel, Bach Duc Luu testified that he held the position of Director of the Region VI Animal Health Sub-Department from 2015, responsible for managing quarantine work, finances, organization, and signing import quarantine documents. According to the defendant, the signing of documents at five border gates was delegated to his deputy.

Regarding the accusation of receiving money from businesses through Tran Trung Nhan (former head of the Animal Quarantine Station), defendant Luu claimed he did not directly work at the stations and was unaware of Nhan's monthly agreements to receive money from businesses. From 2019, subordinates occasionally gave him money for entertaining guests, expressing gratitude, or as overtime compensation. However, the defendant asserted he did not know the money received was bribery, believing it was simply a gesture of thanks, and was unaware of his subordinates' violations. The defendant stated he received a total of 1,2 billion VND and has repaid the entire amount to mitigate the consequences.

The defendants in the case in court today. Photo: Tran Quynh

Similarly, defendant Ly Hoai Vu, former deputy director of the Region VI Animal Health Sub-Department, claimed he was unaware of Nhan directly receiving money from businesses. Vu admitted to receiving 800 million VND and did not dispute the indictment's findings regarding this amount.

Vu stated that he knew this money was from businesses "thanking" them for facilitating faster clearance of shipments, but he believed it was merely routine compensation and only realized his actions were wrong after working with the investigating agency.

Defendant Tran Trung Nhan also admitted the accusations and stated that he did not demand money; rather, businesses initiated the offers. Initially, the defendant did not accept the money but called Ly Hoai Vu, who reportedly told him, "We are doing things according to regulations; if they give it, we should accept it."

Nguyen Minh Thanh, former deputy head of the Port-Post Animal Quarantine Station, testified that he directly received money from businesses, believing it was a token of appreciation and not intended to loosen management. After receiving it, the defendant gave the entire amount to Tran Trung Nhan and was given a share back to distribute among the station staff, with each person receiving 5 million VND. The total amount the defendant received was 150 million VND.

Meanwhile, defendant Nguyen Van Trung, a former quarantine officer, testified that he knew samples were not taken according to proper procedures and had received 150 million VND, but claimed he did not realize his actions were a violation.

The defendants in the case in court. Photo: Tran Quynh

Previously, the Trial Panel questioned the group of defendants belonging to the businesses that illegally imported raw materials from prohibited regions. Most defendants admitted to the alleged violations.

Playing a central role in the case, defendant Tran Nguyen Binh and his wife are being tried for two crimes: smuggling and giving bribes. However, they, along with two other defendants, are currently fugitives.

The 16 remaining defendants are charged with smuggling.

The trial is continuing with questioning of the defendants by their lawyers.

Hai Duyen