Ho Chi Minh City police have provided some information regarding the arrest of eight ward-level officers after they were accused of taking bribes in order to release multiple drug dealers.

The information was announced by Major General Le Hong Nam, director of the municipal Department of Public Security, during a press meeting organized by the Ministry of Public Security on Monday.

The conference, chaired by Lieutenant General Tran Quoc To, deputy minister of public security, was aimed at reviewing results of public security missions in 2020 and news tasks for 2021.

According to Maj. Gen. Nam, the Ho Chi Minh City police department discovered signs of serious violations at the police station in Phu Tho Hoa Ward, Tan Phu District.

The agency has decided to suspend 25 officers at the unit as part of the investigation.

Among them, eight have been arrested and investigated.

Competent authorities have initiated legal proceedings against the officers and are still collecting more evidences, Nam stated, adding that they will provide further information when the investigation is concluded.

The police station in Phu Tho Hoa Ward, Tan Phu District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

The responsibility of Tan Phu District's police unit will also be reviewed, the official added.

The arrest of the eight police officers was conducted in November, and they were charged with "abusing positions and powers while on duty," according to preliminary information.    

They were previously accused of freeing detained drug dealers after receiving bribes. The wrongdoing was said to have been taking place for quite a long time.

In one of the cases, Le Minh C. was arrested by police in Phu Tho Hoa Ward for possession of narcotics in December 2019. An officer then said he would be released if he agreed to pay some money.

C. was allowed to contact his relative, who brought VND140 million (US$6,000) and two maces of gold (about 7.5 grams) to the station on the following day.

In another case, Lu Nhat M., who was captured for a similar offense in September that year, said he had been freed after paying VND100 million ($4,320).

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