Inter-provincial explosives ring busted in Vietnam, hundreds of kilograms and thousands of detonators seized

Vietnamese authorities have successfully dismantled a major inter-provincial network involved in the illegal purchase, storage, and transportation of explosives. The operation, a joint effort by the Central Narcotics and Crime Prevention Force of the Border Guard Command, along with forces in Quang Ngai and other functional units, led to the arrest of three individuals and the seizure of substantial quantities of illicit materials.

The crackdown began on June 5 when patrol officers in Quang Ngai province intercepted Nguyen Huu Nhan, 35, and Nguyen Lehn, 65, who were transporting suspicious cargo. A search revealed approximately 125 kilograms of explosives hidden within plastic and cardboard containers. Nhan confessed to being hired by an unknown individual to transport the explosives for a fee of 5 million Vietnamese dong.

Further investigation led to the arrest of Ngo The Hai, 45, in Quang Tri province on June 6. Hai was found transporting about 14 kilograms of explosives and 100 detonators to Quang Ngai. A search of Hai's residence uncovered over 100 kilograms of explosives, 10,525 detonators, and more than 235 meters of time fuse, all intended for sale. The border guards stated that the successful disruption of these operations has severed a key link in the illegal explosives trade, preventing the materials from being used for illegal fishing and safeguarding public order and marine resources.