As part of a 45-day crime crackdown campaign, Ho Chi Minh City Police have dismantled a large-scale gold smuggling ring operating between Cambodia and Vietnam, arresting multiple suspects connected to the network.

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The suspects arrested in the case. Photo: Police

On May 19, the Ho Chi Minh City Police Investigation Agency issued decisions to prosecute a criminal case and formally charge two suspects with “Smuggling” under Article 188 of Vietnam’s Penal Code.

The prosecution and detention orders were approved by the city’s People’s Procuracy.

The two suspects identified were Vu Thi Ngoc Anh, born in 1977 in Bac Ninh Province, and Nguyen Duy Tan, born in 1981 and residing in Ho Chi Minh City.

Police are continuing to investigate the role of another individual linked to the operation, identified as Pham Van Manh.

Authorities described the case as a major success during the city’s ongoing 45-day campaign to intensify crime prevention efforts under directives from the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department leadership.

Earlier, on April 20, authorities at Tan Son Nhat International Airport discovered Vu Thi Ngoc Anh carrying a large quantity of yellow metal while checking in for a flight to Phu Quoc Island.

Suspicious that the items were connected to illegal transportation activities, officers detained her for inspection.

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Gold jewelry was divided into smaller pieces and worn on the body to evade detection during border entry. Photo: Police

At the scene, police seized approximately 2,221.2 grams of 9999 gold, estimated to be worth around USD 373,000.

During questioning, Ngoc Anh admitted the gold had been illegally purchased in Cambodia and smuggled into Vietnam for resale to profit from price differences between the two markets.

Investigators said the gold had been transported into Vietnam earlier that same morning.

Ngoc Anh then allegedly brought the gold directly to Nguyen Duy Tan’s residence, where it was melted down and recast to alter its original appearance, erase traces of origin and conceal its source before being distributed for sale.

Sophisticated smuggling operation uncovered

Police investigators said the smuggling ring had operated in a highly organized and sophisticated manner since early 2026.

Taking advantage of the significant price gap between gold markets in Cambodia and Vietnam, the suspects coordinated specific roles to establish an illegal smuggling route.

To avoid detection, the group allegedly used encrypted messaging applications to exchange information, pool capital and coordinate operations.

According to investigators, the suspects gathered foreign currency, converted Vietnamese dong into US dollars and split the cash among multiple couriers who physically carried the money into Cambodia without customs declarations.

In Phnom Penh, the cash was allegedly used to purchase 9999 gold in the form of jewelry, including bracelets and pendants.

The jewelry was then divided into smaller pieces and worn directly on the body as personal accessories to evade customs inspections while crossing back into Vietnam through Moc Bai border gate in Tay Ninh Province.

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Suspect Vu Thi Ngoc Anh was arrested along with the seized evidence. Photo: Police
 
 
 

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Seized gold evidence. Photos: Police

Once successfully transported into Ho Chi Minh City, the gold was collected and taken to Nguyen Duy Tan’s residence, where it was melted and recast into larger blocks before being released into the domestic market.

Investigators believe the network completed around 10 successful gold shipments from Cambodia into Vietnam between early 2026 and the time of discovery.

Each shipment was estimated to be worth around VND 30 billion, or roughly USD 1.15 million.

Authorities said the suspects used hundreds of billions of dong for smuggling activities and illegally earned tens of billions of dong in profits.

The Ho Chi Minh City Police Investigation Agency said the investigation is continuing and that additional suspects connected to the ring are being pursued for prosecution under Vietnamese law.

Dam De