Ha, 35, residing in Hai Phong, was indicted and detained on charges of illegal cross-border transport of goods, under clause 3, Article 189 of the Penal Code. The procedural decisions were approved and announced by the Ha Tinh Provincial People's Procuracy on 7/1.

Her two accomplices, Hoang Thi Thuan, Ha's sister-in-law, and Hoang Thi Hang, are currently under investigation for the same crime.

Suspect Ha, left, listens as police read the indictment. Photo: Provided by the Procuracy.

According to the investigation, on 24/11/2025, Ha, along with Thuan and Hang, took a passenger bus to Laos. Their purpose was to transport smuggled gold back to Vietnam for a fee of 2.5 million VND. One day later, while in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, a woman approached Thuan and gave her three paper packages, each containing two gold bracelets. Thuan then distributed one package to each woman to facilitate its cross-border transport.

The three women boarded a passenger bus for their return to Vietnam. Approximately three hours later, fearing detection by authorities, Ha asked to disembark to use the restroom. She then discarded two gold bracelets on the roadside.

Four smuggled gold bracelets, hidden in socks, confiscated by police. Photo: Provided by the Procuracy.

Around 8:20 h on 26/11/2025, the three women arrived at Cau Treo International Border Gate, Son Kim 1 commune, formerly part of Huong Son district. Concerned about inspection, Thuan and Hang placed their four gold bracelets into Ha's backpack, asking her to hold them.

Border guards subsequently discovered the items and confiscated four undocumented gold bracelets. These weighed 600 grams, equivalent to 160 chi, and were valued at over 2.2 billion VND.

According to authorities, the two gold bracelets Ha discarded on the roadside weighed approximately 80 chi. However, they have not yet been recovered.

The case is currently under expanded investigation.

Duc Hung