On 10/1, the Economic Police Department of Da Nang City Police announced the dismantling of a sophisticated and tightly organized ring smuggling lobster larvae via air.

The case began on 17/10/2025, when Da Nang International Airport Customs discovered three unclaimed suitcases in the screening area. An inspection revealed 151 inflated nylon bags containing 90,350 suspected green lobster larvae. Recognizing signs of criminal activity, the case was transferred to the Investigative Police Agency of Da Nang City Police on 19/10/2025.

The Da Nang City Criminal Proceeding Property Valuation Council concluded on 18/11/2025 that the seized lobster larvae were valued at over 6,77 billion VND. On 25/11/2025, Da Nang City Police initiated criminal proceedings for "Smuggling and Illegal Transport of Goods and Currency Across Borders".

Bui Van Toan (44, Nghe An) directly transported lobster larvae from Singapore to Vietnam. Photo: Police provided.

The investigation revealed that the suspects employed a closed network of roles, avoiding direct contact to evade detection. By 7/1, the special task force identified Bui Van Toan (44, Nghe An) as the direct transporter of the lobster larvae from Singapore to Vietnam. Khuat Duy Tien (46, Ha Noi) accompanied him to inspect the goods at the owner's request. Pham Ngoc Thach (49, Ho Chi Minh City) served as an intermediary broker, and Ho Thi Thuy Duong (48, Khanh Hoa) was identified as the owner of the goods.

From 8-9/1, police simultaneously deployed four task forces, arresting the suspects in Nghe An, Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Khanh Hoa. They were subsequently extradited to Da Nang for further investigation. Authorities are consolidating the case files and expanding the investigation to process the case according to legal regulations.

Ngoc Truong