On the afternoon of 4/4, Hanoi Police announced they are investigating five individuals—Khuat Duy Thuyet, 35; Khuat Quang Huy, 30; Khuat Duy Tuan, 42; Nguyen Huu Sach, 46; and Nguyen Van Lieu, 44—for property theft. All suspects reside in Phuc Hoa, Phuc Tho commune.

Police inspect the seized cats. *Photo: Hanoi Police*

According to police, in late 2025, the group of suspects began planning to steal cats. They prepared two nets about 2 meters long, 13 cloth bags, one iron cage, and two flashlights attached to helmets.

Around 22h30 daily, the group rode motorcycles from Phuc Tho commune, targeting various communes and wards across Hanoi. By around 4h, they sold their stolen "goods" at a purchasing facility in Hoai Duc commune. Each cat fetched a price of 100,000 to 110,000 VND per kg. From late 2025 until their arrest, the suspects stole and sold over 300 cats to this facility.

Police seized some cats that had been slaughtered for meat and frozen. *Photo: Hanoi Police*

After purchasing the cats, the facility owner transported them to the Huu Hung street area, Tay Mo ward, to resell to traders for 135,000 VND per kg.

There, traders sold the cats to the market for 230,000 VND per kg, or to pet owners for 180,000 VND per kg.