Police bust massive firecracker, gingseng smuggling ring from China

The mastermind behind the ring was Lung A Dao, 27, residing in Co Ky village in Tung Qua Lin commune of Phong Tho district.

According to the police, Dao contacted Vietnamese citizens working in China to purchase ginsengs before then reselling them in the locality.

In early December, Dao purchased a huge amount of firecrackers and illegally transported them across the border into Vietnam.

At 18:00 p.m. on December 4, the police in collaboration with border guards of Dao San Border Station caught red handed Lung A Dao, Lung A Sang, and Lung A Hai residing in Tung Qua Lun commune illegally transporting 112 kg of firecrackers.

Searching Lung A Dao’s house, the police also seized 40 kg of ginsengs.

At the police station, Dao confessed that he had intended to sell the haul of ginsengs under the Lai Chau ginseng brand name.

He also said he had illegally entered Yunnan of China with the intention of buying the firecrackers, as well as hiring several Vietnamese men to transport them into Vietnam for sales.

A further investigation into the case is now underway.