On 11/12, the Anti-Corruption, Economic, and Smuggling Crime Investigation Police Department (C03) under the Ministry of Public Security issued a special wanted notice for Hoang Ba Nghi, 44, residing at K2-17 Vo Nguyen Giap, Thanh Thuan area, Hung Phu ward, Can Tho city.

This development follows C03's decision on 3/11 to prosecute and issue an arrest warrant for Nghi's temporary detention, investigating his alleged act of receiving bribes. After the Supreme People's Procuracy approved the decision, C03, along with Hung Phu ward police, proceeded to serve the procedural decision. However, they discovered that Nghi had fled, with police determining his escape date as 22/9/2022.

C03 urged Nghi to surrender voluntarily to receive lenient treatment, while also ensuring his right to self-defense and to present information related to the case.

Before his prosecution, Nghi had participated in numerous activities and workshops related to agricultural product standards and VietGAP. He also frequently spoke at specialized forums, advocating for enhanced product quality and inspection technology at both enterprise and local levels.

Hoang Ba Nghi before his prosecution. Photo: NhoNho

This marks a new development in C03's broader investigation into a case involving: giving bribes, receiving bribes, brokering bribes, violating accounting regulations causing serious consequences, and abusing influence over individuals with positions and power for personal gain. These alleged acts occurred at the Quality Testing, Verification and Services Center, NhoNho Technology Company Limited, Thuy Fruit One-Member Company Limited, and other related entities.

On 5/11, C03 prosecuted several individuals for investigation into receiving bribes. These include: Tran Dang Ninh, director of Retaq Center; Nguyen Manh Duy, a Retaq employee; Vu Duc Hai, director of Scitech Joint Stock Company; and four individuals from NhoNho Company: Hoang Ba Nghi, chairman of the members' council; Dinh Hoang Thien, director; Le Sy Nghi, director of the testing center; and Nguyen Truong, deputy director of the testing center.

For alleged giving bribes, C03 prosecuted: Nguyen Thi Yen Nhi, director of branch 3, Thuy Fruit Company; Ha Thi Thuy, director of Thao Nguyen Ha Giang Company; Do Ngoc Trung, director of Duc Phuc Company; and Vu Thanh Trung, director of JiuYi Company.

In the same case, three individuals were investigated for brokering bribes: Ngo Thi Lua, director of Tan Hoang Linh Company; Doan Thi Xuan; and Vu Quang Phuc, members of the Dak Lak Province Durian Association.

Pham Thanh Tri was the only one accused of abusing influence over individuals with positions and power for personal gain.

Suspects Tran Dang Ninh, Nguyen Manh Duy, Hoang Ba Nghi, Le Sy Nghi, Nguyen Truong, Vu Duc Hai (from left to right, top to bottom). Photo: Ministry of Public Security

According to C03, their intelligence gathering revealed activities involving the buying and selling of growing region codes and testing certificates within the durian export business from Vietnam to China. This practice led to durian being exported with incorrect origins and failing to meet standards, thereby damaging the reputation and reducing the competitiveness of Vietnamese agricultural products in general, and durian in particular, in the Chinese and global markets.

Currently, Vietnam has 24 testing laboratories recognized by China, with a capacity of approximately 3,200 samples per day. However, during peak harvest seasons, many facilities operate at full capacity, leading to equipment breakdowns or expired certifications, necessitating re-licensing. Since 1/7, this process has been decentralized to local authorities, but procedural bottlenecks have caused delays.