On June 11, the Criminal Police Division (PC02) of the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department announced that officers had dismantled a large-scale interprovincial group specializing in trapping, stealing and collecting cats.

According to investigators, authorities identified and summoned nine individuals linked to the operation, including Nguyen Thanh Tuan (born 1987), Nguyen Thi Thanh Tam (born 1981, living with Tuan as husband and wife), Nguyen Thanh Tu (born 1983), Nguyen Van Du (born 1997), Le Huynh Ba (born 1987), Le Kha Vinh (born 2004), Le Dinh Toan (born 1973), Le Dinh Trung, Doan Van Toa (born 1994) and Nguyen Van Lap (born 1980).

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The suspects and seized evidence. Photo: CACC

During questioning, the suspects initially admitted to organizing the trapping and collection of cats across multiple localities over the past three years. After stealing or gathering sufficient numbers of animals, the group allegedly transported the cats to storage locations before selling them to Le Huynh Ba for around VND70,000 per kilogram (USD2.68 per kilogram). Transactions reportedly took place every two to three days.

Based on information provided by the suspects, PC02 officers quickly coordinated an emergency inspection of a collection site at Truc Quynh parking facility in My Hanh Commune, Tay Ninh Province. Investigators said Le Huynh Ba used the location as a transit point before shipping cats to buyers.

At the site, authorities discovered and seized 45 cages containing approximately 400 live cats. Officers also found four foam containers holding around 80 dead cats preserved with ice and prepared for transport and sale.

Investigators later expanded the operation to Linh Xuan Ward in Ho Chi Minh City, where they discovered and seized an additional 21 cats.

The total number of cats found, rescued and seized during the initial investigation exceeded 500, highlighting the scale of the operation, police said.

The Investigation Police Agency under the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department is continuing to expand the investigation, gather evidence and clarify the role of each individual involved before taking legal action in accordance with the law.

Police have also called on residents who believe their cats may have been stolen and recovered in the case to contact the Criminal Police Division of the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department at 9 Xa Lo Ha Noi Street, Tang Nhon Phu Ward, for identification and assistance with the investigation.

Dam De