A senior officer from the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Haiphong has turned herself in, admitting to accepting bribes and issuing false quarantine certificates for Halong Canfoco, the company at the center of a scandal involving 130 tons of pork infected with African swine fever.

On January 15, the Haiphong People’s Procuracy confirmed that Tran Thi Huong, born in 1974 and a resident of An Bien Ward, Haiphong City, surrendered at the municipal police’s Criminal Investigation Office.

Huong served as Deputy Head of the Mobile Quarantine and Fisheries Monitoring Station under the city's Department of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Veterinary Services  -  a division of the Department of Agriculture and Environment.

At the investigation agency, Huong confessed to issuing false quarantine certificates for Halong Canfoco to legitimize the company's distribution of goods to other provinces. In return, she allegedly received bribes totaling around $2,900.

Also turning themselves in was Le Nhat Huy, born in 1990 and residing in Gia Vien Ward, Haiphong. Huy worked in the customer service unit of Halong Canfoco’s sales department.

On January 14, the Haiphong People’s Procuracy approved the first extension of detention for both Tran Thi Huong and Le Nhat Huy, as authorities continue investigating allegations of accepting and giving bribes.

In relation to the same case, the Procuracy has approved arrest warrants and prosecution orders for Truong Sy Toan, born in 1969 and residing in Ha Lam Ward, Quang Ninh Province. Toan, who served as General Director of Halong Canfoco, is being charged with negligence causing serious consequences.

Three additional company employees  -  all involved in quality control of raw materials  -  have also been indicted and detained on charges of violating food safety regulations. They are:

·        Pham Thi Thuy Lan (born in 1980), Deputy Head of the Quality Control Department

·        Bui Thi Thoan (born in 1979), Quality Control Officer

·        Lai Thi Thanh Huong (born in 1974), Quality Control Officer

These legal actions are part of an expanding investigation into the illegal distribution of 130 tons of pork contaminated with African swine fever in Haiphong and surrounding provinces.

Haiphong police continue to widen the probe, aiming to clarify the roles and responsibilities of all involved individuals and entities, with a commitment to strict legal accountability.

PV