Vietnam arrests veterinary chief, staff in $1 billion seafood smuggling probe

Authorities in Hai Phong City, Vietnam, have expanded their investigation into a massive seafood smuggling operation, arresting the chief of the regional veterinary and animal husbandry sub-department and five of his staff. They are accused of accepting bribes to provide "protection" for businesses involved in smuggling.

The ongoing probe into the $1 billion seafood smuggling ring has led to the indictment of 18 individuals. Charges include smuggling, illegal transportation of goods across borders, illicit issuance of invoices, and bribery. The arrested veterinary officials allegedly accepted money from businesses to expedite or bypass quarantine procedures for imported seafood, allowing shipments to enter the market rapidly.

“

The group of defendants received money from businesses to bypass or shorten the quarantine process, creating conditions for many imported seafood shipments to be released immediately after arriving in Vietnam.

Initial investigations reveal that Sy Hung Seafood Co., Ltd., led by Nguyen Thi Thu, frequently imported large quantities of seafood like sturgeon and carp from China through border gates in Lang Son and Lao Cai. To speed up market entry, the company allegedly paid nearly $1.8 billion in bribes to veterinary officials. These officials are accused of not conducting thorough inspections or reducing the number of checks, enabling the company to obtain quarantine certificates quickly.

Further investigation uncovered that Sy Hung Seafood used companies registered under relatives to facilitate the sale of invoices, legitimize documents, and conceal revenue from smuggling activities. This operation is an expansion of a previous bust targeting a smuggling ring led by Nguyen Van Tung, known as the "seafood smuggling queen" of the Mong Cai border area.

“

The company paid nearly 1.8 billion dong to 'buy' quarantine.