Former journalist investigated for taking protection fees from truck drivers

Le Danh Tao, 57, and his wife Ho Thi Hai, are now facing the charge of taking advantage of given positions and/or authority to influence others.

For the same charge, Hai's younger brother, Ho Kim Cuong, is also under detention.

Police said the three have received more than VND1 billion (US$41,300) per month from truck drivers. Tao was identified as the mastermind of the scheme.

He used to work at several newspapers, magazines and television channels while his wife is the director of a media company registered in Ha Tinh.

Cuong works as a collaborator for several magazines.

According to the police, Tao was aware that many truck drivers, especially those who took long and overnight trips, violated traffic rules such as running red lights or transporting goods heavier or bigger than regulated.

If drivers get caught, either directly on the street or via security camera footage, they could have their license seized or revoked, which would keep them from working for several months.

Tao approached those drivers and asked them to pay him VND6-8 million per month.

In return, he would use his influence and relationship to "protect" them, as long as they did not cause accidents.

He guaranteed that the drivers only needed to use the keywords "Tao's trucks" when encountering police and they would be safe. He also said that if police still made it difficult for the drivers, they could call him on the phone and he would make arrangements to help them get away smoothly.

He even created a logo for drivers to put on their trucks to make it easier for traffic police to recognize "Tao's trucks."

Ho Thi Hai (3rd, L), the wife of Le Danh Tao, listens as an officer reads a statement to arrest her at their house in Ha Tinh Province, Nov. 27, 2023. Photo by police

Tao, his wife, and the brother-in-law investigated local transport inspectors and traffic officers for any wrongdoings. Then Tao threatened to write articles about those wrongdoings to take them down if they tried to cause difficulties to truck drivers under his protection.

He and his wife created closed groups on social media to exchange information with drivers and have them transfer the protection money via bank accounts.

Police are investigating further.