On 27/1, Hanoi City Police announced that the Investigation Police Agency arrested Nguyen Van Hoa, Tran Hong Son (Director of Hanoi Urban Environment and Development Joint Stock Company), Nguyen Van Hong (Director of Hanoi Urban Environment and Services Joint Stock Company), and Nguyen Tong Phuong (Director of ECON Hanoi Environment Joint Stock Company) for environmental pollution.

The scene of the dumping site. Photo: *Linh Dan*

Police stated that since 2023, Hoa rented, managed, and used approximately 2,300 square meters of agricultural land in Thuan Ton hamlet, Bat Trang commune. This land was not authorized for waste dumping by authorities, nor did Hoa hold a state license for waste collection, transportation, or treatment.

Since the agricultural land was about 3 meters lower than the road, Hoa allowed transport companies to illegally dump ordinary solid waste for profit. The waste primarily consisted of construction materials, for which Hoa collected 100,000 VND to 150,000 VND per trip. Once the waste piled high, he hired people to level it and then purchased topsoil from construction sites to cover the area.

To evade authorities, Hoa primarily allowed trucks to dump waste at night. Externally, he operated a business selling ornamental plants and renting stalls for flower pot collection. Internally, waste dumping activities occurred without proper covering or collection, violating environmental protection regulations.

Suspects Hoa, Son, Hong, Phuong (from left to right). Photo: *Linh Dan*

Police determined that Son, Hong, and Phuong directed drivers to transport ordinary solid waste from construction sites for illegal dumping at Hoa's agricultural land. They were aware that Hoa's site was not authorized to receive or process waste, yet they carried out these unlawful acts.

Police identified that Son's company dumped construction waste from projects onto Hoa's agricultural land, charging 100,000 VND per truck. In 2025, Son directed drivers to make 289 trips, each carrying approximately 12 cubic meters of construction waste, totaling over 3,800 tons.

From late 2024 to April 2025, Hong's company made 612 trips to Hoa's site, totaling approximately 6,700 tons. Phuong's company made 345 trips, charging 150,000 VND per trip, with a total volume of approximately 4,200 tons.

Waste dumped on the 2,000 square meter plot. Photo: *Linh Dan*

Police reported that the total volume of construction waste illegally dumped at the site exceeded 7,800 tons, covering an area of over 2,000 square meters. Analysis of samples by specialized agencies confirmed it to be ordinary solid waste.