Police in Ha Tinh Province, north-central Vietnam, have initiated legal proceedings against 43 individuals for their involvement in the illegal manufacturing, storage, purchase, sale, and use of military-grade weapons, as well as the unlawful possession of narcotics, following the successful dismantling of a transnational arms trafficking ring.

Their investigation led to the identification of six key individuals involved in the operation: Vu Anh Tu, 31, from Ninh Binh Province; Mai Van Dong, 32, from Tay Ninh Province; Le Cuong, 26, from Dong Nai Province; Nguyen Thanh Tien, 31, from Hau Giang Province; and Tran Quoc Cuong, 23, from Ho Chi Minh City. 

These individuals coordinated a closed network, with each responsible for different stages of the operation, and they recruited additional participants to expand their ring.

Once the arms trafficking ring was exposed, police in Ha Tinh Province deployed 15 task forces across 15 provinces and cities. 

They collaborated with the Ministry of Public Security and local public security departments to swiftly detain, summon, and raid the homes of 45 individuals linked to the syndicate.

In total, authorities seized 532 firearms, 36,824 rounds of ammunition, 211 grams of illicit drugs, and two grenades. 

Investigators have confirmed that the network had sold over 1,000 firearms throughout Vietnam, and even smuggled weapons into Laos and Cambodia.

This is one of the largest illegal arms trafficking rings ever dismantled by the Vietnamese authorities.

During their investigation, detectives uncovered that several criminal groups in Ha Tinh Province had procured military-grade weapons through various social media platforms operated by a professional arms trafficking syndicate. 

Nearly 37,000 bullets seized by police in Ha Tinh Province, north-central Vietnam, in the case of a transnational arms trafficking ring. Photo: Supplied

The operation spanned multiple regions across the country, prompting the creation of a special task force to combat it.

The criminal network sold a significant number of weapons to various groups, fueling violent crimes nationwide. 

Using social media channels, members of the syndicate purchased military-grade firearms -- many of which had unknown origins -- and other firearms with military-grade specifications. 

The group also imported additional parts from overseas to complete the weapons.

The arms dealers advertised and facilitated illegal transactions through fake social media profiles, providing non-registered phone numbers for potential buyers to make contact. 

Buyers could easily select the type of weapon they wanted, provide their details or reach out directly via phone or virtual nicknames, and transfer money to the seller.

Once an order was placed, the traffickers would disassemble the weapons, pack the parts into multiple parcels, and ship them through various channels, including express delivery services, motorbike couriers, passenger vehicles, and trains.

According to investigators, this network operated with considerable sophistication, involving high-ranking individuals who were both reckless and often armed. 

Furthermore, members of the ring maintained close ties to foreign contacts and had escape routes planned, including potential flight to Cambodia, Laos, or China.

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