The Consequences of Abetting in Ivory and Rhino Horn Smuggling
On August 13, the Hanoi People’s Court sentenced five former employees of Noi Bai Airport to a total of 25 years in prison for violating regulations on the protection of endangered, precious, and rare animals.
The defendants include Dương Ngô Thu (1986, Hanoi), a former employee of the Noi Bai Airport Security Center, who received a 9-year sentence; Phạm Huy Hùng (1985, Nam Định), Nguyễn Đoàn Giáp (1990, Hanoi), both former employees of the Vietnam Airport Ground Services Company (VIAGS) – Noi Bai branch, who received 8-year sentences each; Nguyễn Đình Tú (1993, Hanoi), who received 9 years; and Lê Thị Hằng Nga (1982, Hà Tĩnh), who received a 6-year sentence, all for the same offense.
Defendants at the trial. (Photo: hanoimoi.vn)
According to the indictment, on June 27, 2023, these individuals were hired by Nguyễn Hồng Vân to receive packages containing ivory and rhino horn at Noi Bai Airport and transfer them to Vân’s accomplices.
Specifically, on June 27, 2023, at baggage carousel number 1, terminal T2 of Noi Bai International Airport, authorities discovered Nguyễn Đoàn Giáp (head of the baggage handling team) suspiciously taking four pieces of luggage. Upon investigation, they found 54kg of ivory and over 22kg of rhino horn inside the luggage.
The investigation revealed that Nguyễn Hồng Vân had hired individuals, including Thu, Hùng, and Giáp, to transport ivory and rhino horn products from Angola to Vietnam, paying them between 20 to 40 million VND each.
At the investigative agency, the defendants Thu, Hùng, Tú, and Giáp admitted to receiving multiple shipments for Vân from abroad to Vietnam. The prosecution accused Tú of transporting 11.74kg of ivory and 22.63kg of rhino horn, while Nga transported 42.52kg of ivory. The defendants Thu, Hùng, and Giáp were found to be accomplices with Tú and Nga in transporting 54.26kg of ivory and 22.63kg of rhino horn.
Currently, Vân has fled abroad, and the Investigation Agency has issued a warrant for her arrest.
Source: Vietnam News
