On December 22, the Investigation Police Agency of Khanh Hoa Province officially announced the prosecution of two individuals involved in the illegal transportation of more than 2.3 kilograms of gold across borders.

The two suspects are identified as Le Thi Thao A. (37 years old, Vietnamese-Korean dual citizen) and Nguyen Thi Ngoc N. (65 years old, from Ca Mau province).

During routine luggage screening at Cam Ranh airport in Khanh Hoa province, police discovered 24 pure gold bars and 32 used iPhones without any invoices or documentation.

Earlier, on the morning of December 8, the two women had boarded flight VJ839 from Incheon International Airport (South Korea) to Cam Ranh airport. While processing their transfer to Noi Bai airport, economic police in coordination with Cam Ranh airport security conducted an X-ray scan of their checked luggage.

Upon inspection, officers found 24 yellow-colored metal bars and 32 used iPhones inside Nguyen Thi Ngoc N.'s baggage. None of the phones had receipts or proof of origin.

During questioning, both women admitted that they had been hired by an unidentified woman to transport the goods. The agreed payment for the job was over 33 million VND (approximately USD 1,360).

An expert analysis later confirmed that all 24 bars were 99% pure gold, with a total weight of 2,325 grams-equivalent to around 620 taels.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to uncover further details and connections in the case.

Xuan Ngoc