The police department in Ho Chi Minh City has rolled out a strategic initiative focused on enhancing the prevention, regulation, and enforcement related to the illegal trade of hazardous chemicals.

This effort arises from persistent challenges surrounding the management of dangerous chemicals, particularly cyanide, which has exposed significant gaps in oversight at both physical and online sales venues.

So far, law enforcement has investigated five cases involving 17 suspects charged with “illegal trade and possession of toxic substances.” A total of 9,488.5 kg of cyanide, along with 315 kg of sulfuric acid, 105 kg of hydrochloric acid, and various other pieces of evidence were confiscated.

The police were able to trace the distribution of cyanide across 11 provinces, seizing over 318.5 kg of illegally exchanged cyanide during their investigations.

One major case reported by VTV revealed that police in Binh Thanh District uncovered a scheme where individuals were exploiting their roles and inadequate business controls to trade cyanide improperly. A sales manager with Nam Phuong Chemical Co., Ltd., Ngo Thi Nhu Hue, forged contracts to sell about 2.55 tons of cyanide to various clients, generating illicit earnings of around 380 million VND.

Nguyen Duc Thanh Huy acquired cyanide from Hue and was responsible for distributing it to 326 clients in nine provinces, accruing over 250 million VND in illegal profits.

In a separate incident in mid-September, police discovered the tragic case of a woman who died by suicide at home using cyanide. Investigators arrested Phan Minh Trung, aged 34, from Binh Chanh District, who had supplied the cyanide used in this incident.

Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of other suspects, including Nguyen Thanh Tai (30), Ha Van Viet (41), and Khuc Van Hieu (36), who were all involved in a network of three companies licensed for chemical trade. Despite having proper licenses, they illicitly sold imported cyanide. Police raided their operations across Ho Chi Minh City and Long An, confiscating 3,950 kg of cyanide.

The leadership of the Ho Chi Minh City Police has charged specialized units, local police, and authorities in Thu Duc City with conducting thorough inspections targeting businesses, households, and individuals involved in the trafficking of hazardous chemicals. A primary focus of these operations was the Kim Bien Chemical Market in District 5.

In late September, police teams carried out simultaneous inspections at 21 chemical trading sites in Kim Bien, leading to the seizure of 433 plastic containers filled with cyanide, 179 kg of cyanide, and eight jars of potassium gold cyanide (62.8%).

Investigators observed several violations, including the trading of chemicals without proper invoices and origin certificates, unlicensed sales, and other irregular practices.

As a result, District 5 Police launched three legal cases regarding the “illegal possession and sale of toxic substances,” targeting businesses such as Tien Phat Co., Diep Xi electroplating, and the Ngan Loi trading household, ultimately indicting six individuals.