Military weapons 'factory' dismantled

Nguyen Chi Thanh and seven accomplices established a ring to manufacture and trade military weapons, selling them domestically and internationally, distributing tens of thousands of components and ammunition.

On 15/6, Nguyen Chi Thanh, 31, residing in An Giang, and seven accomplices were indicted and temporarily detained by the Ha Tinh Police Security Investigation Agency. They face charges of illegal manufacture, storage, and trade of military weapons under Article 304 of the Penal Code. This action follows the dismantling of a large-scale ring that operated a hidden "factory" to produce military-grade pcp air rifles and components. Since 2023, the group had reportedly processed tens of thousands of orders for gun components nationwide, with sales extending even abroad.

A few months ago, Ha Tinh Police initiated a special investigation after discovering numerous social media accounts on facebook, youtube, and tiktok posting content advertising, selling, and instructing on the manufacture of gun components. This led to the identification of Thanh's ring. In late may, over 40 officers, divided into multiple task forces, simultaneously raided locations in Ho Chi Minh City, An Giang, and Vinh Long, arresting Thanh and his seven accomplices.

Authorities seized 8 pcp air rifles, 184 sets of assembly components, approximately 38,500 lead pellets, 100 kg of raw lead, and over 10,000 related parts and accessories.

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

According to the investigation, in 2023, Thanh's group established a "factory" at a private residence, disguised as a civilian mechanical facility. They specialized in designing and manufacturing critical components for assembling pcp air rifles, which are classified as military weapons. The ring operated discreetly through social media groups, using fake accounts and frequently changing residences and storage locations to avoid detection. Thanh and his accomplices advertised and sold the goods on social media.