On 9/3, Nguyen Minh Hien, 22, from Phu Yen, along with 32 others, faced trial at the People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City (TP HCM) on charges including illegal trade, storage, and manufacture of military weapons; illegal trade and storage of explosives; and storage and circulation of counterfeit currency.
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The defendants at today's trial. Photo: Hai Duyen
The indictment states that on 22/2/2024, Nguyen Minh Hien broke into the Quang Tri Provincial Museum – Khe Sanh, stealing two AK rifles and one pair of binoculars. He then contacted Duong Tung Son, whom he met through the Facebook group "BW War Scrap", selling one folding-stock AK rifle for 20 million VND. Hien asked Son to hold the remaining rifle while he sought a buyer. The two later met at a Hanoi guesthouse to complete the transaction.
On 14/3/2024, Hien returned to the museum, exploiting a security lapse to take three more firearms: one K54 pistol, one AK rifle, and one P38 pistol, along with four gun stocks. He stored the stolen items in his rented room in Thu Duc, TP HCM. Three days later, Hien sold the four gun stocks to Pham Hong An for 3,5 million VND each, earning 14 million VND.
Hien disassembled the K54 pistol, packed the components into a carton, and sent it via a bus service to an individual in Vinh, Nghe An. He continued to store the remaining firearms at his residence.
In late March 2024, Binh Thanh District Police detectives identified suspicious activity involving the sale of firearms and ammunition through bus parcel deliveries. An administrative inspection of a bus company on Nguyen Xi Street revealed a package containing K54 pistol components. Subsequent investigation identified Hien as the sender, leading to his summons for questioning.
Hien confessed to also obtaining 34 bullets from Facebook acquaintances, citing a hobby for collecting.
Based on Hien's testimony, Binh Thanh District Police searched Son's residence – a respected member of the "BW War Scrap" group – seizing numerous exhibits. Besides the rifle purchased from Hien, Son had also bought a damaged K44 rifle from an unknown individual and then sourced components from the group to assemble it. Son claimed to have found three bullets but could not recall their origin.
Following the initial case information, the Ho Chi Minh City Police Directorate recognized these incidents as links in an online firearms and ammunition trafficking network operating across multiple provinces and cities, prompting the establishment of special investigation 324K.
Expanding the investigation, the special investigation team arrested additional members of the "BW War Scrap" group. Authorities identified the group as having approximately 12,000 members, founded and managed by Pham Huy Hoang, 22, from Thai Nguyen. Many members used hundreds of anonymous Facebook and Telegram accounts to trade firearms, ammunition, explosives, and support tools.
Investigation results revealed Hoang used the Facebook account "Co Dac" to trade and store multiple firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and a large quantity of explosives.
Furthermore, the indictment stated that Hien also purchased 95 counterfeit USD bills, totaling 9,500 USD, from defendants Ta Thuong Tham and Pham Huy Cuong for circulation, but police discovered and seized them.
Regarding the theft at the Quang Tri Provincial Museum, Quang Tri Provincial Police are continuing their investigation.
Police search multiple 'weapon caches' belonging to the criminal network. Video: Provided by Police
According to the prosecution, the actions of Hien and the defendants are exceptionally serious, posing a danger to society, directly infringing upon social order and safety, and violating State regulations on the manufacture and management of military weapons. Therefore, strict penalties are warranted.
After one day of proceedings, the Procuracy concluded the indictment's announcement and commenced the questioning phase.
The trial is expected to last until 13/3.
Hai Duyen
