Vietnam Busts Nearly $40 Million Smuggling Ring, Over 4,400 Tons of Goods Illegally Transported Across Border

A large-scale smuggling ring, valued at nearly VND 1,000 billion (approximately $40 million), has been busted in Vietnam, with authorities indicting 18 individuals. The organization is accused of illegally transporting over 4,400 tons of goods across the border. According to the investigating authorities, the smuggling ring allegedly colluded with some public officials to conceal and receive protection for its criminal activities. Specifically, from early 2025 until its discovery, approximately 630 illegal transportations were carried out, with a total volume exceeding 4,400 tons and an estimated value of VND 400 billion (approximately $16 million). The transported goods included crabs and pork offal that crossed the border without veterinary inspection. The investigation began with the inquiry into a smuggling route led by a woman identified as Nguyen Kim Oanh, 43, from Quang Ninh province. She is alleged to have managed a group responsible for cargo transportation, surveillance, and accounting. Further expanding the investigation, another group involved in issuing fraudulent invoices, tax evasion, bribery, and smuggling, operating through a seafood company, was also dismantled. This group, centered around the company director Nguyen Thi Thu, was found to have been involved in criminal activities as a family enterprise. Her group is believed to have engaged in smuggling goods worth approximately VND 1,000 billion, tax evasion exceeding VND 40 billion, bribery of over VND 2.3 billion, and the issuance of fraudulent invoices with sales of over VND 900 billion from 2024 until the time of discovery. Authorities revealed that the criminal organization used social media platforms such as WeChat and Viber for communication and transactions. The group also conducted cross-provincial operations, employing sophisticated methods to carry out their crimes. This bust is considered a significant achievement in preventing the loss of state assets and eliminating negative impacts on food quality and public health. On July 24, 2024, Deputy Minister of Public Security Nguyen Van Long sent a letter of commendation to the units involved in the investigation for their success.