On 23/9, Binh (55) and Nguyen Tuan An (42) from Hung Yen province stood trial at the District 7 People’s Court in Ho Chi Minh City for the illegal purchase and possession of military weapons.

Chu Van Hoang Anh (35) and Huynh Hoang Vu (53), also known as Vu "Meo", face charges of illegal possession of military weapons. Lai Nam Phuong is charged with failure to report a crime.

Ten other defendants in the case are prosecuted for gambling, organizing gambling, and fraud.

Binh "Kiem" at the time of his arrest. Photo: Police Department

Binh "Kiem" at the time of his arrest. Photo: Police Department

Binh "Kiem" has a long criminal history, with multiple prison sentences and a reputation for clashing with rival gangs. He even challenged notorious crime boss Truong Van Cam (Nam Cam). In 2005, Binh led the kidnapping of businessman Tram Be's son, demanding a 10 million USD ransom. Two years later, he was sentenced to 28 years in prison by the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court on multiple charges.

After his release, Binh gathered a new group of accomplices and planned to kidnap singers or actors, or coerce them into sexual acts, and then post images on pornographic websites for profit.

Prosecutors identified Binh "Kiem" as the mastermind behind three incidents of buying, transporting, and possessing military weapons between April and October 2024. Binh's objective was allegedly to organize an event, invite famous models and singers, and then use guns to threaten, kidnap, and force them into sexual acts while recording videos. These videos would be sent to an accomplice in the US for distribution on pornographic websites.

Binh delegated tasks to his accomplices, including soliciting investment and outlining individual responsibilities. The group also scheduled the time and location for their operation. To prepare, Binh contacted multiple sources to acquire firearms and ammunition.

Binh met Phuong and Vu "Meo" in Chi Hoa prison. In early July 2024, after Binh's release, Vu gave him a Beretta pistol and 13 rounds of ammunition when Binh expressed interest in acquiring Western European firearms. The next day, at Chu Van Hoang Anh's goat hotpot restaurant, Vu handed the gun to Binh, who then gave it to Hoang Anh for safekeeping. After the restaurant closed, Hoang Anh buried the gun and ammunition in his father's garden in Lam Dong province.

Nguyen Tuan An at the time of his arrest with the firearms and ammunition purchased for Binh Kiem. Photo: Police Department

Nguyen Tuan An at the time of his arrest with the firearms and ammunition purchased for Binh Kiem. Photo: Police Department

Around August 2024, through Nguyen Tuan An, Binh ordered more weapons from Laos. An subsequently arranged the purchase of an AK-47 rifle, 4 magazines, 250 pistol rounds, and 242 AK-47 rounds for 227 million VND. An was apprehended by Laotian authorities on 29/9/2024 before he could transport the weapons back to Vietnam. Laotian authorities then transferred him to the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security.

Binh also transferred 20 million VND to Tran Dinh Thien in Vung Tau to purchase military weapons. Thien then asked Le Minh Nghia to make the purchase, but Nghia absconded with 21.3 million VND.

In late September and early October 2024, the Criminal Police Department (C02) of the Ministry of Public Security arrested Binh "Kiem's" gang in Ho Chi Minh City and other locations, thwarting their plot. Authorities seized three AK-47 rifles, eight handguns, over 1,400 rounds of ammunition, five magazines, five bulletproof vests, narcotics, and various other items and documents related to the crimes.

The prosecution has separated the manufacturing and possession of military weapons charges against some of the defendants into a separate case for later proceedings.

Hai Duyen