An Giang Province's Department of Natural Resources and Environment. — Photo  courtesy of dantri.com.vn

HÀ NỘI — The Investigation Police Agency of the Ministry of Public Security has successfully dismantled an extensive illegal sand mining operation in An Giang Province, the largest-ever discovery of its kind in the country.

Trung Hậu Investment Joint Stock Company surreptitiously extracted over 4.7 million cubic metres of sand from the Tiền River bed, significantly surpassing An Giang Province's authorised limit of 1.5 million cubic meters - nearly three times the permitted quantity.

Despite claims that this mining was intended to support crucial projects such as the North-South and Mỹ Thuận-Cần Thơ highways, the actual sand allocation for these ventures was a mere 900,000 cubic metres. A significant surplus of approximately 3.8 million cubic metres was falsely documented and unlawfully sold.

The illicit excavation, reaching depths of 42 metres - well beyond the permissible 16 meters - has triggered unmanageable consequences, as reported by the Department of Geology and Minerals. Residents of Bình Phước Xuân commune in Chợ Mới District have witnessed the erosion and subsidence of their homes, a direct consequence of Trung Hậu Company's sand mining activities.

Of particular concern is the fact that this illicit sand mining operation managed to escape scrutiny due to collusion with officials and leaders within the local Department of Natural Resources and Environment. This manipulation allowed them to cloak their actions in legitimacy, renewing licenses and providing cover for their mining operations.

Nguyễn Việt Trí, the Director of An Giang Province's Department of Natural Resources and Environment, now faces investigation. He has been apprehended and is being questioned by the Ministry of Public Security for his alleged involvement in bribery related to the illegal mining.

On Tuesday, Lieutenant General Tô Ân Xô, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Security, declared that the Investigation Police Agency has decided to proceed with the prosecution of the case.

Simultaneously, the investigative agency has initiated legal proceedings against seven people, namely: Huỳnh Văn Thái - head of the mineral department at the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of An Giang Province; Trần Văn Hải - director of the Monitoring Centre under the Department of Natural Resources and Environment; Trương Minh Tâm, Thái Thành Quý, Lê Nhựt Trường, Nguyễn Văn Thọ - all employees of this centre; Bùi Minh Tuân, deputy director of Nam Khang Company and director of Việt Khoa Company.

The investigative agency has also initiated legal proceedings against three individuals for the offence of bribery, including: Lê Quang Bình - chairman of the members' council and general director of Trung Hậu Company; Võ Truyền Thống - deputy general director; and Nguyễn Tấn Lịnh - mine executive director.

These three individuals are also under prosecution and further investigation for violating regulations related to research, exploration, and exploitation of resources.

Numerous leaders and employees of Trung Hậu Company have also been prosecuted, including: Lê Trọng Hải - deputy general director; Hoàng Hải Thụy - deputy general director; Trần Anh Tuấn - project director; and three company employees. All of these individuals are also currently under investigation for violations of regulations related to research, exploration, and exploitation of resources. — VNS