On 15/5, An Giang Provincial Police arrested Phu, 62, on charges of property extortion and property destruction. Duong Van Chop, 36, was also arrested for property destruction in connection with the case.

The investigation revealed that in May 2024, Phu leased three pangasius ponds in My Duc commune to Nguyen Thanh Viet and his wife. The 10-year lease was set at 200 million VND per year, with an additional 10 million VND added annually. Viet also agreed to purchase Phu's existing fish stock and continue their care. Due to mutual trust, the agreement was verbal, without a formal written contract.

Nguyen Van Phu at the investigative agency. Photo: Tien Tam

In July 2025, after Viet had already introduced a second batch of fish, Phu demanded the ponds back, citing the absence of a written contract. On 7/7/2025, Phu allegedly instructed Chop to cut the wires of six surveillance cameras installed by Viet at the ponds, causing damages exceeding 6 million VND.

Four days later, Phu, accompanied by several individuals, arrived at the ponds. He claimed ownership of the fish, estimated at around 1,600 tons and valued at 45 billion VND, expelled Viet's workers, and seized management records.

More than half a month later, Phu brought people to the ponds to illegally harvest over 21,5 tons of pangasius, which he sold for 604 million VND. This unauthorized harvesting ceased only when Viet's wife reported the incident to the police. Following an investigation that clarified the verbal agreement between the parties, police initiated legal proceedings against Phu and Chop.

Ngoc Tai - Tien Tam