On 6/5, Nguyen Duc Hiep, 36, from Ninh Binh, and eight alleged accomplices from Lao Cai, Ninh Binh, Phu Tho, Hung Yen, and Ha Tinh, were indicted and detained by the Ha Tinh Public Security Investigation Agency. They face charges of illegally storing, purchasing, and selling military weapons, a violation of Article 304 of the Criminal Code.

Leaders of Ha Tinh provincial police inspect seized exhibits. *Photo: Police provided*

The arrests followed two comprehensive raids conducted by Ha Tinh provincial police from late April to early May. These operations involved simultaneous searches and detentions of Hiep and his eight accomplices across the aforementioned provinces.

Nguyen Duc Hiep, the suspected ringleader, at the time of his arrest. *Photo: Police provided*

Authorities seized a significant cache of evidence, including 65 homemade gun bodies, six PCP air rifles, one shotgun with 20 rounds of ammunition, over 40 kg of lead and lead pellets, eight air guns, and 60 silencers. Additionally, manufacturing equipment such as presses, lathes, and various components for gun production were confiscated.

Homemade gun bodies seized by police. *Photo: Police provided*

Investigators revealed that Hiep had established the inter-provincial gun manufacturing and trading ring several months prior, operating under the guise of a mechanical components business. The group maintained a closed network, primarily using virtual accounts on messaging apps like Telegram and Viber for their transactions. The Ha Tinh police initiated a special investigation after detecting signs of the illicit network during inquiries into other weapon-related incidents in the area. The seized items indicate the suspects had developed a relatively complete gun production process, capable of introducing numerous dangerous weapons into society.

The investigation is ongoing and being expanded.

Duc Hung