On 12/3, Pham Huy Hoang (22, from Thai Nguyen) was sentenced to 6 years in prison by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court for illegally buying and selling military weapons.
Nguyen Minh Hien (22, a student) received a sentence of two years and six months in prison for illegally possessing military weapons; 10 years for possessing and circulating counterfeit money; and two years and six months for illegally possessing explosive materials. His combined sentence totaled 15 years in prison.
In connection with the case, 31 other defendants received sentences ranging from six months to 12 years and six months for crimes including: illegally buying and selling explosive materials; illegally possessing military weapons; manufacturing, possessing, and illegally selling military weapons; illegally possessing and buying military weapons; illegally possessing hunting rifles; and illegally manufacturing military weapons.
According to the trial panel, the defendants' actions were particularly dangerous to society, violating the State's regulations on the management of weapons, explosives, and support tools. Driven by the desire to collect firearms and express themselves, the defendants intentionally committed these crimes. They established a network for buying, selling, and possessing a particularly large quantity of military weapons and explosive materials across many provinces, threatening public safety. Some defendants committed multiple offenses, carrying out continuous acts with close ties to one another.
The court noted that during the investigation and trial, all defendants made honest declarations and showed remorse, which led to a reduction in their criminal liability. Defendant Hien, in particular, had several additional mitigating circumstances: he was a student at the time of the offense, had achieved excellent academic results for many years, and received commendations from his school. His family also contributed to society, and his grandparents were recognized as contributors to the revolution.
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Nguyen Minh Hien and the defendants in the network. Photo: Hai Duyen |
The verdict stated that on 22/2/2024, Hien went to the Quang Tri - Khe Sanh Provincial Museum and stole two AK rifles and one pair of binoculars. He then contacted Duong Tung Son, whom he met through the "Phe lieu chien tranh BW" Facebook group, to sell one AK rifle with a folding stock for 20 million VND. He also asked Son to hold the remaining rifle while he looked for a buyer. The two later arranged to meet at a hotel in Hanoi for the transaction.
On 14/3/2024, Hien returned to the museum, taking advantage of lax security to steal three more rifles (one K54, one AK, one P38) along with four rifle stocks. These items were brought back and stored in his rented room in Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City. Three days later, Hien sold the four rifle stocks to Pham Hong An for 3.5 million VND each, earning 14 million VND.
For the K54 rifle, Hien disassembled its components, packed them into a carton, and sent them via a bus company to a person in Vinh, Nghe An. The remaining rifles continued to be stored at his residence.
In late 3/2024, detectives from Binh Thanh District Police (formerly) uncovered suspicious activity involving the buying and selling of guns and ammunition through bus parcel deliveries. During an administrative check of a bus company on Nguyen Xi street, police discovered a package containing K54 rifle components. Through investigation, authorities identified Hien as the sender and summoned him for questioning.
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The defendants in the network on trial. Photo: Hai Duyen |
Expanding the investigation, the special task force arrested many more members of the "Phe lieu chien tranh BW" group, seizing various types of firearms, ammunition, and explosive materials. Authorities determined that the group had approximately 12,000 members operating in many provinces, established and run by Pham Huy Hoang (22, from Thai Nguyen). Many individuals used hundreds of anonymous Facebook and Telegram accounts to buy and sell guns, ammunition, explosive materials, and support tools.
Investigation results showed that Hoang used the Facebook account "Co Dac" to buy, sell, and possess many rifles, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and a large quantity of explosives.
Additionally, Hien purchased 95 counterfeit US dollar bills (equivalent to 9,500 US dollars) from defendants Ta Thuong Tham and Pham Huy Cuong for circulation, but police discovered and confiscated them.
During the trial, the defendants admitted their wrongdoing.
Hai Duyen
