Police perform a search at a cyanide storage area in HCMC. Photo courtesy of the police
Police in HCMC have arrested three individuals for their involvement in an illegal cyanide trading ring, uncovered following a suicide case using the toxic substance.
The suspects, identified as Nguyen Thanh Tai, 30; Ha Van Viet, 41; and Khuc Van Hieu, 36, were apprehended by Binh Chanh District police for illegally storing and trading toxic chemicals.
Their arrests followed the detention of Phan Minh Trung, 34, who allegedly sold cyanide to the woman who took her own life.
Trung’s confession led authorities to dismantle the broader trading network.
Raids conducted at various locations in HCMC and the neighboring Long An Province resulted in the seizure of around four tons of cyanide.
According to police, the suspects had set up three legal entities that obtained business licenses from the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the HCMC Department of Industry and Trade. These licenses permitted the companies to sell specific chemicals, including cyanide, which the group then sold to unlicensed buyers.
Authorities reported that the group had illegally sold over 400 kg of cyanide in four separate cases in HCMC, earning VND40 million ($1,576). Police managed to recover over 27 kg of cyanide before it could be distributed.
HCMC police noted that the lax management of toxic substances, particularly cyanide, has made it easily accessible both online and offline. They warned that criminals have exploited cyanide for various criminal activities, including murder.
Over the past month, the city’s law enforcement has launched investigations into five cases of illegal storage and sale of toxic substances. The operations led to the confiscation of nearly 10 tons of cyanide, 315 kg of sulfuric acid, 105 kg of hydrochloric acid and other related evidence.
Comments are closed.