Ho Chi Minh City police have successfully broken up a large-scale smuggling network, arresting five individuals and seizing several containers of illicit goods imported from China.

buon lau 1.png
The arrested suspects. Photo: Police source

On September 19, the Economic Police Division of the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department initiated criminal proceedings and issued arrest warrants for five individuals: Lo Kok (born 1972), Trinh Thi Kim Ngoc (born 1982), Le Duc Phuoc (born 1975), Le Thi Ngoc Thuy (born 1994), and Pham Ngoc Hao (born 1985). They have been charged with “smuggling” under Article 188 of the Penal Code.

In a campaign targeting smuggling, commercial fraud, and the production and trafficking of counterfeit or banned goods, the Economic Police identified a large smuggling ring trafficking goods from China to Vietnam, led by Lo Kok. This led to the establishment of a special task force to investigate the operation.

buon lau 2.png
Lo Kok, the alleged leader of the smuggling ring bringing goods from China. Photo: Police source

Recently, the task force launched simultaneous raids at multiple locations, inspecting containers and warehouses in Ho Chi Minh City and Tay Ninh, as well as the headquarters of involved companies. Authorities seized all smuggled goods along with extensive documentation and digital evidence.

Initial findings revealed that Lo Kok had used front companies to facilitate the operation. He hired individuals to register a shell company named Khang Minh Interior Production and Trading Co., Ltd., and exploited electronic customs declarations to import three containers of goods from China through Cat Lai Port in early September 2025.

Although the shipments were worth billions of Vietnamese dong (hundreds of thousands of U.S. dollars), the suspects underreported their value, declared fewer items, and submitted falsified documents and invoices to legalize the paperwork and evade taxes.

Dam De