Breaking up a transnational arms trafficking ring, seizing 532 guns

The Criminal Police Department of Ha Tinh Province Police said it had just fought and destroyed a ring of illegal trading of military weapons, arrested and summoned 45 people, seized 532 guns of various types, 36,824 bullets, and 211.11 grams of drugs. Of which, the authorities prosecuted 43 defendants for the following crimes: Manufacturing, storing, trading, and illegally using military weapons; and illegally storing drugs.

Investigators determined that this was an online weapons trading ring with a network of "henchmen" in many different localities such as Ha Tinh, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Tay Ninh, Ninh Binh...

More than 500 guns were seized by the police. (Photo: Ha Tinh Police)

Through social networks, these people buy guns of unknown origin, with features similar to military weapons, then modify them with additional components to complete them. Most of them are transported from China, Laos, and Cambodia to Vietnam for consumption.

Then, they use social networks to join groups to advertise and illegally buy and sell weapons, explosives, and support tools, along with unofficial phone numbers for potential buyers to contact.

Buyers just need to choose the type of weapon, tool, leave information or contact directly via phone number or "virtual nick". Then transfer money via bank account or via COD shipping.

6 leaders of a transnational arms trafficking ring. (Photo: Ha Tinh Police)

The goods will be disassembled, divided into many different packages and transported via express delivery companies, technology motorbike taxis, buses, trains, etc. to the buyer.

Through the investigation, the task force determined that this arms trafficking ring was led by 6 people: Vu Anh Tu (born in 1993) and Vu Tien Phat (born in 1997), both residing in Khanh Hoi commune, Yen Khanh district, Ninh Binh province; Mai Van Dong (born in 1992, residing in Phuoc Dong commune, Go Dau district, Tay Ninh province); Le Cuong (born in 1998, residing in Long Duc 3 hamlet, Tam Phuoc ward, Bien Hoa city, Dong Nai province); Nguyen Thanh Tien (born in 1993, residing in Hiep Loi ward, Nga Bay city, Hau Giang province); Tran Quoc Cuong (born in 2001, residing in ward 9, district 11, Ho Chi Minh City).

Searching the residences of "links" in the arms trafficking ring. (Photo: Ha Tinh Police)

The six individuals linked together to form a closed network, with each person in charge of different stages, attracting more participants. In particular, the individuals also closely colluded with arms dealers abroad, ready to fight back and flee to Cambodia, Laos, and China.

The Criminal Police Department of Ha Tinh Police coordinated with many units, simultaneously deployed 15 working groups, urgently detained and summoned 45 people in many different provinces and cities such as: Ha Tinh, Ninh Binh, Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh, Dong Nai, Hau Giang, Bac Giang...

During the extended investigation, in addition to seizing 532 guns of various types and 36,824 bullets, the Criminal Police Department also seized 211.11 grams of drugs and 2 grenades from this organization.

Investigators determined that this ring sold more than 1,000 guns across the country, even to many people in Laos and Cambodia.

Trong Tung

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/pha-duong-day-buon-vu-khi-xuyen-quoc-gia-thu-giu-532-khau-sung-ar906151.html