On November 27, police arrested Phu in Vi Thuy commune, Can Tho city, acting on a particularly dangerous wanted warrant for illegal drug trafficking. The arrest was a coordinated effort by the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department's Criminal Judgment Enforcement and Judicial Assistance Division and local police.

Nguyen Thi Phu arrested after 13 years in hiding. *Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Police*

According to investigators, 13 years ago, the Binh Chanh District People's Court, Ho Chi Minh City, sentenced Phu to 7 years in prison for illegal drug trafficking. She was granted bail pending sentence enforcement. However, Phu exploited the humanitarian policy of the law and fled the locality. Despite calls from authorities, her family, and local government to surrender, Phu did not report herself.

During her 13 years as a fugitive from the particularly dangerous wanted warrant, Phu constantly changed residences, avoided using personal identification, and asked relatives to register for various services on her behalf.

Nhat Vy