On 19/5, Ngoc Anh and Nguyen Duy Tan, 45, were detained by the Ho Chi Minh City Police Economic Crime Department on charges of smuggling.

Vu Thi Ngoc Anh and Nguyen Duy Tan at the investigative agency. *Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Police*

This move followed an order from the Ho Chi Minh City Police Director, part of a 45-day intensified campaign against crime.

In late April, authorities at Tan Son Nhat airport identified Ngoc Anh, who was checking in for a flight to Phu Quoc, due to suspicious behavior. She was found wearing and carrying over 2,2 kg of 9999 gold, valued at approximately 9,7 billion VND.

During questioning, the woman stated that the gold, including bracelets and Buddha pendants, had just been brought from Cambodia for crafting, reshaping, and subsequent sale.

Based on her testimony and collected evidence, investigators identified Ngoc Anh and several others as participants in a gold purchasing and illegal transportation ring from Cambodia to Vietnam, allegedly led by Manh.

The investigation revealed the group used the WhatsApp application to communicate, pool capital, and coordinate their activities.

Capitalizing on the gold price disparity between the two nations, the suspects converted Vietnamese Dong into USD, then divided the cash among multiple couriers to transport into Cambodia without customs declaration.

In Phnom Penh, the funds were used to purchase 9999 gold in the form of bracelets and pendants. For transport back to Vietnam via the Moc Bai border gate, the group divided the gold, wearing it as personal jewelry to bypass authorities.

Once the gold reached Ho Chi Minh City, the group reconvened at Tan's residence to melt and cast it into larger blocks before distribution for sale.

Evidence seized by police. *Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Police*

Investigators determined that from early this year until its detection, the ring completed about 10 gold smuggling trips from Cambodia to Vietnam, with a total value of approximately 300 billion VND, yielding illicit profits of tens of billions of VND.

Ho Chi Minh City Police are continuing to expand the investigation and pursue other individuals involved.

Quoc Thang