Nghe An: Cracking Down on the Illegal Wildlife Trade Network
Wildlife conservation is an urgent and essential mission as the illegal hunting and trade of wildlife continue to escalate, particularly in Vietnam. Recently, authorities in Nghe An province uncovered and dismantled a group of individuals violating regulations on the protection of endangered and rare wildlife. This bold action serves as a significant step toward curbing activities that severely harm biodiversity.
According to the Criminal Police Department of Nghe An Provincial Police, a group of suspects had been identified in Do Thanh Commune, Yen Thanh District. This group specialized in transporting, storing, and trading large quantities of endangered and rare wildlife products and parts sourced from abroad to Vietnam. These products included pangolin scales and various parts of other rare and protected animals, all strictly prohibited from exploitation and trade under the law.
The group employed highly sophisticated methods. The ringleader, Hoang Van Niem (born 1990), coordinated purchases of endangered animal products from abroad. These items were transported to Ho Chi Minh City and subsequently shipped via various means to Do Thanh Commune, Yen Thanh District.
At this location, Niem hired two accomplices, Dang Huu Giao (born 1989) and Vo Suong The (born 1991), to sort, clean, and package the products. These items were then transported to northern border provinces for sale. Notably, to evade detection by authorities, the group designed secret compartments within pickup trucks to hide the illicit animal products, showcasing the sophisticated nature of their concealment tactics.
After thorough investigation and surveillance, between December 15 and 19, 2024, authorities arrested four suspects:
- Hoang Van Niem (1990) – the ringleader;
- Dang Huu Giao (1989) – responsible for transportation and concealment;
- Vo Suong The (1991) – involved in processing and packaging;
- Hoang Van Khoi (1991) – assisted in distributing the products.
Seized evidence included:
- Over 156 kg of Java pangolin scales, an endangered species on the brink of extinction;
- The carcass of a Java pangolin, stripped of its scales, weighing 6.1 kg;
- Over 4.9 kg of animal products (including claws, teeth, and kneecap bones of lions, clouded leopards, and wild boars);
- Two mobile phones, two vehicles, an electronic weighing scale, and various other related items.
The investigation faced numerous obstacles, particularly due to the uncooperative behavior of the ringleader, Hoang Van Niem. However, with relentless determination to combat wildlife crimes, the Criminal Police Department persevered in gathering evidence, ultimately dismantling the network. The suspects were charged with “Violations of regulations on the protection of endangered and rare wildlife” under Article 244 of the Penal Code.
The successful dismantling of this illegal network sends a strong message about the commitment of law enforcement and society as a whole to protecting the environment and biodiversity. Illegal wildlife trade not only depletes species populations in the wild but also disrupts ecosystem balance, posing severe threats to the future of global ecosystems.
This incident underscores the urgent need for collective action to ensure a greener planet, safeguard precious wildlife species, and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.
