Recent crackdowns on military-grade weapons trafficking networks have revealed a sophisticated system operating behind the scenes, involving the production, assembly and distribution of firearms and ammunition through covert manufacturing facilities.
Following the trail to secret machine shops
From the outside, they appeared to be ordinary machine workshops with no signs or branding, operating discreetly like conventional metalworking businesses. Inside, however, investigators found advanced machinery and extensive surveillance systems designed to monitor activity and evade law enforcement detection.
Several suspects linked to the network were arrested. Photo: Police
These details emerged during an expanded investigation by Ha Tinh Provincial Police, which led to the dismantling of two clandestine machine shops operating in Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai City.
Investigators first identified suspicious activity online and uncovered an interprovincial network involved in the illegal manufacture, possession and sale of military-grade weapons. The suspects used multiple unregistered accounts on Telegram and Viber to communicate and conduct transactions.
As the investigation widened, authorities determined that behind the firearms assembly and sales operations were specialised facilities producing components and structural parts used in military-grade weapons.
Evidence seized during the investigation. Photo: Police
Searches of the two workshops uncovered 178 completed PCP compressed-air rifle bodies, 113 ammunition magazines, 300 aluminium alloy blanks, hundreds of firearm components, four CNC milling machines, one CNC lathe, two desktop computers and numerous related items.
According to investigators, Vu Manh Quyet, a resident of Dong Nai City, rented workshop space and invested in machinery from 2023 to manufacture components used in PCP air rifles. His products were reportedly sold to multiple buyers both inside and outside Vietnam, generating thousands of orders.
Between February and late May 2025 alone, Quyet admitted producing around 200 rifle bodies for a customer operating through a Viber account.
Police also identified Tran Huu Trang as the individual responsible for designing technical drawings and manufacturing firearm body models supplied to Nguyen Duc Hiep, born in 1990 and residing in Lao Cai Ward, who had previously been arrested as the alleged leader of the network.
To date, Ha Tinh Provincial Police have charged nine suspects with the illegal possession and trafficking of military-grade weapons.
Dismantling weapons manufacturing networks at their source
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Quoc Hung, Deputy Director of Ha Tinh Provincial Police, reviews the investigation. Photo: Police
The Ha Tinh case is not an isolated incident. Across the country, police have recently dismantled multiple weapons networks linked to hidden manufacturing, repair and modification facilities operating under legitimate-looking cover.
In mid-January 2026, Ho Chi Minh City Police broke up a large-scale military-grade weapons trafficking operation led by Nguyen Huynh Vu, born in 1987 and residing in Phu Nhuan Ward.
Searches at locations connected to the case resulted in the seizure of 21 firearms, including 14 military-grade weapons, more than 4,200 rounds of ammunition, including 2,637 military-grade rounds, 112 magazines, 31 suppressors and numerous firearm components such as receivers, barrels and stocks.
Authorities charged 13 suspects in connection with the operation.
Vu told investigators that he began purchasing materials in August 2022 to manufacture gun components for profit. By 2024, he had expanded into purchasing sporting firearms and military ammunition, which he assembled and supplied to buyers in Ho Chi Minh City and neighbouring provinces.
Nguyen Huynh Vu and seized evidence. Photo: Police
Weapons seized in the large-scale military firearms trafficking case in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Police
In Hue, police dismantled another major weapons manufacturing and trafficking network operating between Hue and Lam Dong Province. Surveillance of online activity revealed discussions involving air rifles and weapons components within closed social media groups.
Investigators eventually identified Phan Van Quang, born in 1996 and residing in Tanh Linh Commune, Lam Dong Province, as the individual producing and supplying weapons to the network.
Quang's residence was located in a sparsely populated area surrounded by rubber plantations. Hidden within the property was a carefully concealed workshop dedicated to weapons manufacturing.
Police in Hue traced multiple firearms transactions to a hidden weapons workshop in a rubber plantation. Photo: Police
Hoang Son and Pham Thi Truc Quynh with evidence seized by investigators. Photo: Police
On February 6, 2026, officers arrested Quang at his home and discovered what authorities described as a miniature weapons factory containing machinery, components and approximately five kilograms of lead pellets, equivalent to around 15,000 rounds of ammunition.
Between December 2025 and February 2026, Hue Police arrested and charged 10 suspects, seizing 10 lead-pellet air rifles, nearly 20,000 rounds of ammunition and numerous machines and components used in weapons production.
In early February 2026, Hai Phong Police dismantled another large-scale network involved in the manufacture, sale and possession of military-grade firearms and ammunition. The operation was allegedly led by Pham Thi Truc Quynh, born in 1969 and residing in Hai Phong.
The group operated discreetly and avoided public transactions. Weapons were hidden across multiple locations, with storage sites regularly changed to avoid detection. Some suspects even sought employment at leather footwear factories to maintain the appearance of ordinary workers.
Hoang Son and the workshop used for weapons and ammunition production. Photo: Police
Suspects and seized firearms and ammunition at the investigation office. Photo: Police
Authorities identified Hoang Son, born in 1966 and residing in Hai Phong, as a key figure involved in manufacturing and modifying weapons. A former competitive shooter, Son possessed extensive knowledge of firearms and ammunition.
Searches of his residence uncovered numerous machines and specialised tools used in the manufacture and modification of weapons.
Hai Phong Police charged 12 suspects and seized 11 firearms, including six military-grade weapons, more than 6,700 rounds of ammunition and a large quantity of related accessories.
Earlier, on January 7, police in Dak Lak arrested Le Nhu Duc, 26, from Thanh Hoa Province, while he was transporting a PCP air rifle and more than 1,000 lead pellets to deliver to a customer in Tam Giang Commune.
The investigation later led to the arrests of Tran Ngoc Quan and Nguyen Duc Phuc. A police team was also dispatched to Lao Cai to arrest Pham Duc Chung, who was identified as a supplier of equipment used by Duc in firearm production.
Searches of the suspects' residences uncovered five military-grade firearms and numerous devices and tools used in gun manufacturing.
According to initial statements, Duc joined social media groups where he purchased firearm components for assembly. After completing the products, he filmed promotional videos, posted them online, negotiated prices with buyers and shipped the firearms through delivery services.
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