Four men, led by Do Ba Thanh, have received lengthy prison sentences for impersonating police to rob a truck carrying smuggled cigarettes from their former employer in Tay Ninh province. Do Ba Thanh, 37, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for property robbery on 15/9 by the Tay Ninh Provincial People's Court. His accomplices, Nguyen Van Thanh, 34; Nguyen Tuan Hai, 28; and Nguyen Van Quan, 33, all from Tay Ninh, received 18 to 19 years in prison for the same crime.

The defendants in court. *Photo: Nam An*

The robbery stemmed from a dispute over wages and the perpetrators' intimate knowledge of the smuggling operation. According to the indictment, in 1/2025, Do Ba Thanh and Nguyen Van Thanh were hired to transport smuggled cigarettes for Le Chau Thanh, using a provided truck. Three months later, a disagreement over payment led them to quit.

Driven by financial need and their familiarity with the cigarette delivery routes, Do Ba Thanh and Nguyen Van Thanh orchestrated the robbery. They recruited Nguyen Van Quan and Nguyen Tuan Hai. On the afternoon of 21/4/2025, the group rented an oto, acquiring a flashlight and a siren. Do Ba Thanh handled navigation, Nguyen Van Quan drove, while Nguyen Van Thanh and Nguyen Tuan Hai prepared to impersonate police officers.

The group initiated their scheme by intercepting the target truck near My Hanh intersection. Around 8 p.m., Nguyen Van Thanh followed Le Chau Thanh's truck, which was laden with smuggled cigarettes. On a deserted road, Do Ba Thanh shouted "Stop, police here" from their oto. His accomplices emerged, shining lights and blowing a siren, causing the driver of the escort oto to panic and flee.

The robbers then pursued the main truck, employing the same intimidation tactics to seize its illicit cargo. Do Ba Thanh's group continued their chase. When the individuals on the truck stopped to transfer the cigarettes to another vehicle, the robbers repeated their impersonation. This prompted the transfer team to abandon the truck, leaving behind over 20,000 packs of smuggled cigarettes and a phone.

After securing the stolen goods, the group attempted to hide their tracks but were eventually apprehended. Do Ba Thanh's group concealed the truck, turned off the phone, removed its SIM card, and discarded it. Three days later, police discovered the group when they returned to the truck, intending to find buyers for the cigarettes.

The stolen items represented a significant financial loss. Authorities concluded that the truck, phone, and smuggled cigarettes had a combined value exceeding 1 billion dong.

Nam An