The People’s Court in the south-central province of Binh Thuan opened a trial on December 12, for a total of 12 defendants, including some customs officers, who were involved in the country’s largest-ever fuel smuggling ring worth over VND2 trillion (US$86 million), reported the local media.

Defendants in blue are present at the courtroom

The Supreme People’s Procuracy stated in the indictment of the case that an inspectorate headed by the Ministry of Public Security had examined the oil tank of Singapore’s BTS Christina tanker in late January 2016.

Investigators found that a large amount of A92 petrol was being pumped from the vessel to the storage tanks of Duong Dong Hoa Phu JSC, based in Tuy Phong District of the province.

Inspection results showed the company had formally declared the import of over 1,800 tons of the petrol to the provincial customs department. However, at the time of the inspection, BTS Christina was carrying up to 9,300 tons, and more than 3,200 tons had already been pumped from the vessel.

The inspection team concluded that the company had smuggled over 7,200 tons of the petrol, worth some VND155 billion.

Further investigation revealed that between October 2015 and January 2016, the company had smuggled in some 100,000 tons of A92 petrol and DO worth over VND2 trillion.

Of these, it had already managed to sell more than 120 million liters of fuel, generating illicit revenue of over VND1.3 trillion.

The company’s chairman and general director, Nguyen Duc Manh, was identified as the individual who had signed the fuel import documents.

Dam Van Duong, former director of WorldControl Survey Corporation, which provides industrial inspection services, was also held responsible for supplying documents needed to legalize the imports. Duong was given a total of VND2.2 billion by Manh in exchange for his help.

Customs officers’ involvement

Dinh Huu Thuy, an official at the Binh Thuan Customs Department, who had been tasked with inspecting and supervising all import shipments from Duong Dong Hoa Phu, was charged with accepting bribes. His colleague, Le Van Vinh, was charged with negligence leading to serious consequences.

Thuy admitted receiving VND12 million from Nguyen Tuan Anh, an employee of Duong Dong Hoa Phu, for each import shipment inspection. The former customs officer kept VND3 million for himself, handed over VND3 million to Vinh and sent the remainder to a team at the department.

As a result, Thuy accepted a total of roughly VND150 million in bribes from Anh.

Investigators also discovered that the department’s head, Vo Van Toan; his deputy, Ta Hung Dung; and Luu Trong Vu, Thuy’s manager, had failed to supervise and monitor their staff’s work.

Philippines national Romels Pagente Aleria, captain of BTS Christina, was prosecuted for illegally transporting goods across borders. He transported more than 7,200 tons of A92 petrol worth nearly VND155 billion, which was different from what was declared on import documents.

The trial is scheduled to last until December 22.

SGT