On 20/8, Nguyen and employee Tran Quoc Tuan were detained by the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department's Environmental Police Division (PC03) for investigation into environmental pollution.

Nguyen Hoang Hoai Nguyen (left) and Tran Quoc Tuan. Photo: Police provided

Previously, on 15/8, PC03 discovered a garbage truck belonging to Phuong Dong Building Company dumping waste directly onto a plot of land, number 308, map sheet 07, in Long Hai commune (formerly Ba Ria - Vung Tau province).

Inspecting the scene, investigators found approximately 4,800 m2 of land covered with a large amount of leaking, foul-smelling waste, seriously impacting the surrounding environment.

Upon questioning, Director Nguyen admitted his company was contracted to collect garbage in Tam An commune (now Long Dien district, Ho Chi Minh City) and transport it to a processing facility in Phu My. However, since April, he had directed Tuan to illegally dump the waste in Long Hai, later hiring another truck to move it elsewhere.

Investigators determined that Nguyen and his accomplices had been previously caught by the Long Dat District People's Committee and fined 65 million VND and ordered to remediate the damage. However, Phuong Dong Building Company continued the illegal dumping.

The Ho Chi Minh City Police, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture and Environment, and the Center for Environmental Technology and Management, collected samples and confirmed the waste to be solid household waste, exceeding 600 tons, covering an area of approximately 2,000 m2.

Waste dumped by Phuong Dong Building Company. Photo: Police provided

The investigation is ongoing. Authorities advise organizations, individuals, and businesses to comply with environmental protection laws, particularly regarding waste collection, transportation, and disposal. Citizens are encouraged to report any illegal dumping or discharge of waste to local authorities or the nearest police station.

Quoc Thang