According to investigators, nearly 160 environmental monitoring stations were interfered with, resulting in falsified data that concealed violations for an extended period.

A network spanning dozens of enterprises

On March 29, the Investigation Police Agency under the Ministry of Public Security confirmed that 74 suspects had been charged with 10 different offenses related to environmental monitoring violations.

The individuals are associated with 59 enterprises and service units involved in emissions discharge and the installation of monitoring equipment nationwide. Among those implicated are also officials and leaders from state agencies responsible for environmental management.

The case came to light after the Environmental Crime Prevention Police Department detected unusual patterns suggesting systematic falsification of environmental indicators at multiple businesses. The findings were reported to ministry leadership, prompting a full-scale investigation.

Months of investigation uncover sophisticated methods

After months of gathering evidence, authorities coordinated arrests and formally initiated criminal proceedings.

Investigators identified several major industrial facilities - including Quang Ninh Thermal Power Plant, Hai Phong Thermal Power Plant and Thai Binh 2 Thermal Power Plant - along with companies in aluminum, steel and environmental services, as key sources of large-scale emissions.

Under regulations, such facilities are required to install automatic monitoring systems at discharge points to ensure continuous oversight.

However, data transmitted from these systems to local Departments of Agriculture and Environment had been manipulated in a highly sophisticated manner.

Despite being sealed and monitored by dedicated cameras, the systems were remotely accessed using specialized software. This allowed suspects to alter output indicators, lowering reported pollution levels so that transmitted data consistently remained within permitted thresholds.

More than half of monitoring stations affected

Authorities determined that nearly 160 monitoring stations had been tampered with, accounting for approximately 55% of all such stations nationwide.

According to Major General Than Van Hai, Director of the Environmental Crime Prevention Police Department, offenders have shifted from direct, visible violations to more covert methods involving continuous interference with automated monitoring systems.

These systems are considered a core tool for state oversight. Their manipulation effectively enabled businesses to legitimize illegal emissions over long periods.

A new form of environmental crime

The case underscores a significant evolution in environmental violations, from physical acts of pollution to digital interference designed to evade detection.

It also raises concerns about the integrity of monitoring systems that authorities rely on to enforce environmental regulations.

As the investigation continues, the Ministry of Public Security is expected to expand inquiries and tighten oversight mechanisms to prevent similar abuses in the future.

Dinh Hieu