The Ministry of Public Security has arrested Dao Huu Huyen, chairman of Duc Giang Chemicals Group, along with his son Dao Huu Duy Anh, as part of an ongoing investigation into serious alleged violations at the company.

According to authorities, the Department of Police for Investigation of Corruption, Economic Crimes and Smuggling uncovered multiple signs of serious legal breaches linked to Duc Giang Chemicals Group during its monitoring of mineral resource extraction and chemical production activities.

Initial findings point to a series of organised violations, including the illegal dumping of millions of tonnes of waste across dozens of hectares in the Tang Loong Industrial Park in Lao Cai province. The activity is believed to have caused severe environmental pollution, significantly affecting the lives of local residents.

Investigators also allege the illegal extraction of hundreds of thousands of tonnes of apatite ore, with an estimated value of hundreds of billions of Vietnamese dong, alongside off-the-books accounting practices designed to conceal revenue and cause substantial tax losses to the state, amounting to tens of billions of dong.

Authorities said the violations had taken place over an extended period, sparking public concern and criticism.

Based on investigative findings, on December 25, 2025 and March 14, authorities formally initiated criminal proceedings into charges including environmental pollution, violations of regulations on resource exploration and exploitation, and accounting violations causing serious consequences. A total of 14 defendants have been charged.

Dao Huu Huyen, chairman of the board of Duc Giang Chemicals Group and chairman of Duc Giang Chemicals - Lao Cai Co., Ltd., has been charged with three offences: accounting violations causing serious consequences, violations of regulations on resource exploitation, and environmental pollution.

Pham Van Hung, director of Duc Giang Chemicals - Lao Cai Co., Ltd., faces charges related to accounting violations and environmental pollution.

Three other individuals - Trinh Quoc Khanh, An Van Bang and Nguyen Thi Huong - have been charged with violations of regulations on resource exploitation.

Nine additional defendants, including Dao Huu Duy Anh, vice chairman of the board and former chief executive officer, along with several accounting and finance personnel across related entities, have been charged with accounting violations causing serious consequences.

Authorities have imposed travel restrictions on seven defendants, while seven others, including Dao Huu Huyen and Dao Huu Duy Anh, have been placed in temporary detention.

The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to gather evidence, expand the scope of the case and pursue related individuals and organisations. Measures are also being taken to identify, seize and recover assets for the state.

Dinh Hieu