News of the arrest of Luu Tu Bao, President of the Vietnam Boxing Federation (VBF), surfaced after he had been out of contact for several months.

During an emergency VBF meeting on 4/9, it was determined that Bao was no longer able to lead the organization due to legal issues in the US. The VBF announced it would hold an extraordinary congress to elect a new president.

Regarding the case allegedly involving Luu Tu Bao, the US news site San Francisco Public Safety News reported on 30/6 that the US District Court for the Northern District of California was reviewing an extradition request from the Australian government for a man named "Bao Tu Luu," matching Bao's identity, under the extradition treaty between the two countries. The San Francisco crime news site included a photo of Luu Tu Bao with the article.

A photo of Luu Tu Bao (center) receiving the honorary WBA Asia belt in October 2023 in Ho Chi Minh City, published by San Francisco Public Safety News alongside an article about the court hearing. Photo: *Kickfit*

According to a complaint filed by US prosecutors on 3/4, Bao Tu Luu (also known as Chris Luu, "Big Brother," and "BB") is wanted by the Australian government on charges of conspiring to import 178 kg of cocaine across the border.

These alleged offenses occurred within Australian jurisdiction. The Melbourne Magistrates' Court issued a warrant for Bao Tu Luu's arrest on 2/4/2025.

Australian Federal Police: Bao Tu Luu was the 'leader' of the drug ring

According to records, from February 2016 to June 2017, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigated a transnational organized crime syndicate involved in importing large quantities of drugs across Australian borders.

The AFP investigation focused on the activities of three individuals and their associates in Australia, Canada, Colombia, Panama, and Vietnam. The AFP also investigated the overseas activities of Van Hieu Le and Bao Tu Luu, who is alleged to have been the group's superior, overseeing the organization and financing of the cocaine supply.

Australian authorities allege that Bao Tu Luu resided in Vietnam. Two of Luu's associates, including Le, were based in Canada and traveled to Australia to oversee drug shipments. They then coordinated the collection of the drugs and made payments to AFP undercover agents (UCOs) who facilitated the entry of the drugs into Australia.

UCOs met with Le, Luu, and other key members of the syndicate throughout the investigation. This provided the AFP with insight into the structure of the syndicate and identified Luu as the leader.

Luu also admitted his role as the head of the transnational drug trafficking operation in recorded conversations and text message exchanges with an AFP UCO.

During the investigation, Australian authorities collected over 1,000 photos, text messages, and audio recordings exchanged between Luu, Le, and UCOs. Among these, Luu exchanged numerous incriminating messages, including sending images of cocaine bricks, details of the shipping container, and the specific location of the cocaine bags inside the container.

The sauna meeting in Ho Chi Minh City

Investigative records show that in February 2016, Le and other key members of the syndicate planned a trial importation of 100 kg of cocaine from Panama to Australia. Luu was not involved. This venture was undertaken independently by Le, with the syndicate paying UCOs to facilitate the entry of the drugs into Australia without triggering security measures.

The trial importation was unsuccessful. The AFP later determined that the shipment had been "stolen" at the port in Panama.

Due to the failure of the trial run, Le sought Luu's assistance with a plan for a new importation with a larger quantity of drugs and introduced the UCOs to Luu. Le convinced his accomplices that he would enlist the help of Luu, the Vietnam-based head of the syndicate whom he referred to as "Big Brother," to directly participate in organizing the new importation.

Le informed the UCOs that no one would dare steal a shipment belonging to "Big Brother" because Luu had connections with the highest levels of the Colombian drug cartel, including corrupt senior officials at the docks and within the government.

In August 2016, Le and another associate introduced the UCOs to Luu through encrypted "SkyECC" chat groups. The UCOs explained the importation method in detail to Luu.

In November 2016, UCOs met Luu in person in Ho Chi Minh City to further plan the importation of 100 kg of cocaine into Australia. At that meeting, Luu introduced himself as "Chris" and confirmed his participation in the chat group with the UCOs.

Luu stated he would personally handle the arrangements with established contacts in South America to source the cocaine, conceal it in a designated container, load it onto a ship, and make the related payments.

The discussion with Luu took place in a sauna room at a spa in Ho Chi Minh City, chosen to avoid law enforcement infiltration.

Between mid-August 2016 and June 2017, the UCOs maintained contact with Luu via "SkyECC" and "Cipher Elite" encrypted communication devices. Every aspect of the operation was discussed openly, including the division of financial responsibilities.

Luu offered to cover almost all expenses, including paying the UCOs' share from the proceeds of the cocaine sales after the operation was completed. The AFP determined that Luu was motivated to carry out the operation because he wanted exclusive access to the importation service provided by the UCOs.

On 26/6/2017, the cocaine shipment successfully arrived and was immediately intercepted in Melbourne by an AFP-led task force. The subsequent delivery process, monitored by Luu, resulted in the seizure of 78 kg of cocaine, 500,000 AUD (approximately 378,681 USD) in cash, and the arrest of seven individuals acting on Luu's behalf, including Le.

For the past decade, Luu has primarily resided in Vietnam, which does not have an extradition treaty with Australia. Luu has accumulated significant assets and business ventures, lived lavishly, and established numerous relationships.

A dual citizen of Vietnam and the US, Luu holds passports from both countries and traveled using both passports at different stages of his journeys to avoid visa requirements and conceal his movements.

According to San Francisco Public Safety News, Bao Tu Luu was arrested in Santa Clara County, California, on 1/4/2025 after arriving in the Bay Area to attend a funeral.

During a hearing in federal court in San Francisco on 30/6, Luu stated only his name, age, and confirmed his understanding of the charges. Several relatives attended in support of Luu. Defense attorney Jay Rorty said he would gather materials to request bail for his client.

After the hearing, Magistrate Judge Thomas S. Hixson ordered Luu to be held in custody.

On 28/8, Judge Hixson scheduled the next hearing for 29/1/2026. In the meantime, the court has been provided with extradition documents supplied by the Australian government.

If extradited to Australia for trial and convicted, Luu faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

49-year-old Luu Tu Bao served as the President of the second term of the Vietnam Boxing Federation (VBF), starting on 15/10/2023. He also held the position of President of the Ho Chi Minh City Mixed Martial Arts Federation (HMMAF) and CEO of Saigon Sports Club (SSC), one of the earliest professional boxing clubs in Vietnam. He was awarded an honorary belt in 2023 by the WBA Asia for his contributions to the sport.

Earlier this year, Bao left Vietnam for the US, citing family matters. Since then, VBF members have been unable to contact him.

Tue Anh