Ha Tinh’s Criminal Police Division has cemented its reputation as a “steel fist” of law enforcement, leading major cross-border raids, dismantling billion-dollar cybercrime rings, and rescuing VN victims trapped in international criminal networks.
Editor’s note: In an era where crime is increasingly complex and transnational, the fight for peace demands not only courage from officers of the People’s Public Security Forces, but also intelligence, strategic thinking, and unwavering resolve. This series honors heroic police units who stand at the frontline, safeguarding public security with innovation and bravery.
Widely recognized as the core strike force of the Ha Tinh Provincial Police, the Criminal Police Division has played a vital role in cracking major criminal cases, confiscating weapons, and neutralizing social disorder.
More than just focusing on local crime, the unit has extended its reach across borders, working with law enforcement in neighboring countries. Their operations have earned accolades from high-ranking officials and deep appreciation from the public.
Thousands of suspects have been investigated, hundreds of crime rings dismantled, and dozens of high-priority fugitives apprehended. Together with local, provincial, and national law enforcement, Ha Tinh’s Criminal Police Division has spearheaded hundreds of crime-fighting campaigns targeting hardened criminals and repeat offenders.
A major raid led by Ha Tinh’s Criminal Police Division targeted a scam syndicate in Laos’ Bokeo Province, within the notorious Golden Triangle region. Photo: Provided by authorities
A lead from letters of desperation
The story began in early 2024 when Ha Tinh police received numerous letters from local families reporting that their children had been lured abroad - promised easy work with high pay in Laos, Cambodia, and the Philippines.
Upon arrival, these victims were held captive, forced into labor, and coerced into joining elaborate scamming operations. Many were subjected to inhumane conditions within transnational crime hubs.
Ha Tinh police responded by launching Special Case 0524M. A secret team was deployed to scout a 1,300-kilometer route from Cau Treo Border Gate to Bokeo Province in Laos.
After nearly a month of planning, in late May 2024, Ha Tinh’s Criminal Police Division, in coordination with the Lao Ministry of Public Security’s Anti-Human Trafficking Department and Bokeo provincial police, launched a raid that led to the arrest of four ringleaders and the safe return of 36 Vietnamese victims.
The raid that shook the Golden Triangle
The special economic zone in Bokeo Province, where scam networks operate.Suspects from the scam ring are escorted during extradition procedures. Photo: Provided by police
Just two months after Special Case 0524M, Ha Tinh’s criminal police launched an even more daring mission - this time in the heart of the Golden Triangle, targeting a massive scamming operation in Laos’ Bokeo Province.
In early August 2024, a specialized task force mobilized. On the night of July 31, amid heavy rain, hundreds of officers embarked on a journey from Ha Tinh to Vientiane, Laos.
Flooded roads forced the team to switch to high-speed rail, boarding a train to Boten Station. No weapons or specialized equipment were allowed on board, increasing the risk of exposure. Officers had to split across multiple train cars to maintain cover.
“One of the tensest moments came during that train ride. Nobody could sleep. As we got closer to the target building, anxiety spiked,” recalled one investigator.
At 3 a.m. on August 2, the signal was given. The task force broke into a 13-story building in three units: blockade, assault, and technical support.
Scammers panicked, attempting to flee or destroy evidence. Officers used sledgehammers to breach doors and rappelled from the roof to cut off escape routes. Drones spotted suspects hiding on balconies or clinging between towers.
After over four hours of intense combat, 155 suspects were arrested.
Landslides delayed the return trip as the task force escorted suspects out of the Golden Triangle region. Photo: Provided by police
On August 3, as the convoy departed for Vientiane with the detainees, a massive landslide blocked the only road out. The force had no choice but to return to Bokeo, further complicating logistics and suspect control.
By the morning of August 4, once the road reopened, they secured two rail cars at the rear of a passenger train. On August 7, the suspects were delivered safely to Ha Tinh Police Headquarters.
Investigators revealed that the criminal syndicate had scammed tens of thousands of Vietnamese victims and stolen hundreds of billions of dong (equivalent to several million USD). The raid made international headlines, prompting coordinated crackdowns in Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, and China.
The ‘steel fist’ behind billion-dollar takedowns
Police escort a suspect involved in a scam ring targeting thousands of Vietnamese victims.
These cross-border victories are only part of Ha Tinh Criminal Police Division’s broader legacy as a heroic force. Over 33 years, the unit has evolved into one of the country’s premier criminal police teams.
Between 2014 and 2024, Ha Tinh Criminal Police Division investigated and successfully resolved 134 major cases, arresting 1,768 suspects.
Seized evidence reflects the intensity of their operations: 546 firearms (including military, hunting, and homemade weapons), 36,632 bullets, 98 cars, and more than 2,000 mobile phones.
The team dismantled six black credit networks involving 104 individuals linked to crimes including kidnapping, extortion, and murder.
Ha Tinh’s Criminal Police Division has also emerged as a major player in cybercrime investigations.
They dismantled a scamming network led by Le Huy Nhat, which defrauded over 3,000 victims through social media. The investigation spread across Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, resulting in 110 indictments and over 20,000 documented scam cases involving hundreds of billions of dong.
Another cyber ring led by Le Ba Hai tricked more than 5,000 victims via fake freelance job offers, stealing over 100 billion dong (around $4 million).
The force also took down two online gambling rings run by Le Canh Bao, which had processed over 3,000 billion dong (approximately $120 million) before being shut down.
These victories - whether in foreign lands or digital battlefields - attest to the strategic prowess and unwavering dedication of Ha Tinh’s criminal police, rightly earning them the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces.
Vietnamnet.vn
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