On 29/7, Tu, 55, residing in Chanh Hung ward, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hoang Trong Qui, 36, residing in Truong Thanh commune, Can Tho City, were arrested by Can Tho City Police for investigation into smuggling.

The two suspects were apprehended over five months after the case investigation expanded. Previously, on 25/2, Can Tho City Police had arrested Tran Huu Nghiep, 42, from Ninh Binh, and Tran Van Lua, 41, from An Giang, for illegally transporting goods across the border.

Initial investigations revealed that Nghiep and Lua organized the illegal transport of diesel oil from Vietnam's exclusive economic zone to the mainland for illicit gains. Police seized an oil tanker, 830,000 liters of diesel oil, several oil pumping equipment, satellite internet devices, and phones used for communication among crew members. The total value of the seized evidence was nearly 10 billion VND.

Vuong Le Anh Tu at the investigative agency. Photo: Can Tho Police

Uncovering an organized smuggling ring

Expanding the investigation, Nghiep stated he sent coordinates 8°30'N - 108°30'E, within Vietnam's exclusive economic zone, for Lua to steer the ship Lan Vy 15956 to receive oil from the ship Truong Dung 27. When the oil tanker entered Can Tho, it was intercepted by authorities.

According to investigators, Nghiep also managed the two ships, Lan Vy 15956 and Truong Dung 27. He paid 7 crew members, covered the cost of satellite internet devices installed on the ships, and provided invoices and documents for Lua to present during inspections by the Border Guard.

During questioning, Nghiep stated that besides himself and Lua, Tu and Qui were also involved in the ring.

Based on the testimonies, physical evidence, and seized documents, Can Tho City Police determined that the case was not merely an act of hired transportation but an organized diesel oil smuggling ring. The ring carried out the entire process: purchasing oil in Malaysia, deploying ships to receive oil at sea, transshipping it into Vietnam, preparing invoices and documents to legalize its origin, and then distributing it for illicit gains.

Consequently, the investigative agency changed the decision to prosecute the case and the decision to prosecute defendants Nghiep and Lua, reclassifying their offense from illegally transporting goods across the border to smuggling.

Hoang Trong Qui during his temporary detention. Photo: Can Tho Police

Identifying Tu as the ringleader

According to investigators, the collected evidence identified Tu as the direct organizer and operator of the oil procurement from abroad. He coordinated the reception and transshipment of oil at sea, prepared means and documents to conceal the goods' origin, and directed actions when the operation was discovered. Nghiep was identified as carrying out tasks under Tu's organization and direction.

Qui was accused of actively assisting by using a corporate entity to create a legal cover. He participated in preparing means, creating fraudulent documents, and legalizing the origin of the smuggled oil.

Consequently, Can Tho City Police stated that there were sufficient grounds to determine that the actions of Tu and Qui constituted the crime of smuggling under Article 188 of the Penal Code.

An Binh