On 10/4, Phu Tho Provincial Police announced that the investigative police agency issued an emergency arrest warrant for Loi, 56, who serves as vice chairman of Phuc Yen Ward People's Committee. At the time of the alleged offense, Loi was vice chairman of the former Phuc Yen City People's Committee.

During searches of Loi's residence and workplace, police seized numerous documents relevant to the investigation. Currently, the investigative agency has not disclosed Loi's specific violations or charges.

Hoang Trong Loi under emergency arrest. *Photo: Police provided*.

This arrest follows a large-scale operation on 24/3, when over 200 police officers from various units of Phu Tho Provincial Police simultaneously conducted raids, searching 28 locations. During these operations, many firearms, ammunition, and related documents were seized.

Subsequently, police initiated legal proceedings against 15 defendants on nine charges. Among those implicated are several current and former officials: Hoang Van Thien, a civil servant at the Phuc Yen Forest Protection Department; Nguyen Lam Toi, former head of the Phuc Yen City Forest Protection Department; Luu Van Cuong, who was a land administration officer for Ngoc Thanh commune at the time of the crime and is now a freelance worker; Luu Tien Chung, who served as vice chairman of Ngoc Thanh commune people's committee, overseeing economic sectors including agriculture, forestry, fisheries, finance, budget, land management, and environment, and is now director of the public administration service center of Xuan Hoa ward people's committee; and Hoang Chi Thanh, a former land administration officer for Trung My commune people's committee, now a freelance worker. These individuals are being investigated for "abuse of power and authority while on duty" or "lack of responsibility causing serious consequences".

In connection with the same case, authorities have also prosecuted several business directors. Their charges include: environmental pollution, abuse of influence over persons with positions and authority for personal gain, violation of accounting regulations causing serious consequences, operating a prostitution ring, illegal possession of military weapons, illegal trading of invoices, and violation of regulations on resource research, exploration, and exploitation.

The investigative agency searches Loi's office. *Photo: Police provided*.

Authorities are continuing to expand the investigation to include accomplices and those who facilitated or covered up these crimes, adhering to the principle of "no forbidden zones, no exceptions."