Three traffic inspection officials from Can Tho City’s Department of Transport were arrested for accepting bribes.

From the left: Vo Hoang Anh, Ly Hoang Minh, Doan Vu Duy and Nguyen Van Can.

At a press conference on July 21, Can Tho police said that the three traffic inspectors under arrest were in charge of the districts of Ninh Kieu and Binh Thuy. They were identified to take bribes totaling VND3.4 billion ($150,000) from dozens of transport firms and businesses.

The three arrested inspectors are Vo Hoang Anh, 34, head of the traffic inspection team No. 3 of Ninh Kieu district, Ly Hoang Minh, 31, vice head of the team, and Doan Vu Duy, 38, head of the traffic inspection team No. 11 of Binh Thuy District.

The police also arrested Nguyen Van Can, 29, the intermediary between traffic inspectors and drivers. Can is said to take money from drivers to give to these inspectors.

Can Tho police began investigating this case in early 2016, based on complaints from transport firms and enterprises. On July 16, the police caught in the act Ly Hoang Minh taking bribe from transport firms. Searching Minh’s body, the police found VND17.5 million ($800), $100 and some documents, evidence of Minh’s taking bribes from some transport firms in Can Tho.

After that, the police arrested Can, who took money from businesses and give it to traffic inspectors.

Based on documents and information from Minh and their investigation, on July 18 the police arrested Vo Hoang Anh.

After collecting sufficient proofs, on July 20 the police arrested Doan Vu Duy.

According to the investigating agency, the three traffic inspectors forced dozens of transport firms that carried building materials, ice, fish ... from the provinces of Vinh Long, Bac Lieu and Ca Mau to shops in Ninh Kieu and Binh Thuy district to pay black fees for them, through the man named Can. If not their trucks would be stopped for inspection often.

On average, each transport firm and enterprise had to pay "security fee" of VND1-3 million/month.

Apart from the bribes worth over VND3 billion ($140,000) from Can and VND320 million ($15,000) from two others, Minh also received bribes from 28 people totaling VND47.5 million ($2,200) and Hoang Anh received cash from nine people totaling VND55 million ($2,500).

The total bribes are estimated at VND3.4 billion.

Can Tho police said they are expanding the investigation.

Linh Nhat