HCMC suspects arrested for selling 2.5 tons of cyanide

By Quoc Thang   September 18, 2024 | 04:39 pm PT
HCMC suspects arrested for selling 2.5 tons of cyanide
Ngo Thi Nhu Hue (L) and Nguyen Duc Thanh Huy at a police station in HCMC, Sept. 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of the police
Two people in HCMC have been arrested for falsifying invoices and distributing over 2.5 tons of cyanide on the market, police said Wednesday.

Ngo Thi Nhu Hue, 39, the business head of Nam Phuong Chemical Company, and Nguyen Duc Thanh Huy, 35, were apprehended by Binh Thanh District police for illegal trading of toxic substances.

The investigation began after local residents reported being mistakenly sent packages containing an unknown white powder. Upon inspection, authorities discovered it was 300 grams of cyanide. Further probing led to the arrest of Huy, who was selling the toxic substance. Police also seized an additional kilogram of cyanide that was about to be sold.

Authorities revealed that Huy used multiple Facebook accounts to advertise and sell cyanide, delivering it to clients via courier services. He admitted to selling over 100 kg of cyanide to various buyers across the country since March, disregarding whether they had the proper licenses to handle the deadly chemical.

As the investigation expanded, Hue was arrested, and another 150 kg of cyanide was confiscated. Police accused Hue of exploiting her position and taking advantage of lax business oversight to issue fake invoices, facilitating the illegal sale of cyanide.

According to the police, Hue sold over 2.5 tons of cyanide to 11 clients since 2019, earning VND400 million ($16,243). Huy purchased the chemical to resell for profit, while other clients used it for industrial purposes.

The investigation is ongoing.

 
 
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