On 11/2, the Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Court sentenced Bui Quoc Y, 45, residing in Hac Thanh Ward, to 15 months in prison for illegal detention and 30 months for violating resource exploitation regulations, totaling 45 months. The defendant also received an additional fine of 200 million VND.

Eight other individuals involved in the case received sentences ranging from 6 to 24 months for illegal detention and gambling offenses.

Bui Quoc Y (4th from left in the front row) at the preliminary hearing. *Photo: Lam Son*

The verdict stated that on 15/8/2024, Y 'Eng' and a group of his henchmen abducted and assaulted a legal newspaper's collaborator. The incident occurred when the collaborator arrived at Dat Y Real Estate Company, headquartered on Quang Trung Street, Hac Thanh Ward, to work as per a letter of introduction from his editorial office.

Y and his henchmen locked the door, restrained, and assaulted the victim, then forced him to various locations to threaten and intimidate him. This act seriously violated citizens' personal freedom and caused public outrage.

Y was also accused of organizing illegal land exploitation beyond permitted boundaries and capacity at the Xuan Phu Chicken Breeding Farm project, illicitly profiting over 5.6 billion VND.

During the expanded investigation, police determined that this group engaged in football betting, involving over 26 million VND.

Y 'Eng' is the younger brother of gangster boss Bui Quoc Dat (also known as Dat 'Ma'), a notorious gangster in Thanh Hoa who is currently serving a prison sentence.

The brothers Dat and Y, along with the Tuan 'Than Den' and Vi 'Ngo' gangs, divided and controlled different areas, having been considered underworld bosses in Thanh Hoa for many years. All have been arrested by the police.

Y 'Eng' has a criminal record for intentional injury, black market credit operations, and mineral trading.

Lam Son