Vietnam Boxing Federation president suspected of drug trafficking arrest in US

Vietnam Boxing Federation president Luu Tu Bao. Photo by VBF

Bao left Vietnam for the U.S. in February 2025 for personal reasons, and since then, VBF members have been unable to contact him. Despite being invited to attend an emergency meeting of the federation, Bao remained absent, and it was confirmed that he could no longer lead the organization due to his involvement in legal issues abroad. In the upcoming meeting, VBF will elect an executive committee and select a new president.

Bao's prolonged absence has raised suspicions among the public, which were further amplified when news of his arrest emerged. According to San Francisco Public Safety News, a man named "Bao Luu," who matched Bao's identity, was arrested in California in April 2025. He appeared in federal court in San Francisco, where he faced an extradition request from Australia.

Bao Luu is accused of leading a transnational criminal syndicate involved in drug trafficking, operating primarily from of Vietnam. During the 2016-2017 period, the syndicate allegedly attempted to import 178 kg of cocaine into Australia. In April 2025, an arrest warrant was issued for Bao Luu by the Melbourne Court.

U.S. records reveal that Australian prosecutors have secured messages between Bao Luu and his associates. He used encrypted apps such as SkyECC and Cypher Elite to plan the importation of illegal drugs, under multiple allies. These messages even included pictures of cocaine bricks, allegedly sent between him, associates and even FBI undercover agents.

At his trial, defense attorney Jay Rorty argued that his client is a U.S. citizen who was detained while attending his child's funeral and claimed that the evidence against him was limited to Australian accusations. However, judge Thomas Hixson ruled for his detention and set the next hearing for Aug. 28, 2025. An extradition hearing is scheduled for Jan. 29, 2026, where Bao Luu could face a life sentence if convicted in Australia.

Bao, 49, has over a decade of experience in developing boxing and martial arts in Vietnam. He has been the president of VBF since October 2023 and also holds leadership roles in the Ho Chi Minh City Mixed Martial Arts Federation (HMMAF) and Saigon Sports Club (SSC). In 2023, he was given an honorary belt by the WBA Asia for his contributions to the sport.