On November 16th, the Lam Dong Provincial Police announced the prosecution of a case, the indictment of four suspects, and the execution of temporary detention orders against individuals involved in an illegal gold mining operation in Ta Nang commune.
The scene of the illegal gold mining operation.
According to investigators, in response to the escalating issue of illegal gold mining, the Directorate of Lam Dong Provincial Police directed law enforcement units to intensify inspections and combat illegal mineral extraction. Based on intelligence gathered by undercover officers, authorities identified a clandestine mining site in the remote K71 area (Ma Bo village, Ta Nang commune), a secluded mountainous region with minimal foot traffic.
After days of undercover surveillance in challenging conditions marked by rainforest downpours and nocturnal fog, police forces determined the scale of the operation. The mined ore was bagged, concealed in residences, and later covertly transported to a remote coffee plantation for crushing and gold extraction.
Tunnels and mining structures constructed by illegal miners in Ma Bo.
At approximately 10 PM on November 8th, as the suspects were operating mining equipment, dozens of officers from the Economic Police Division (Lam Dong Provincial Police) and Ta Nang Commune Police launched a surprise raid. Four individuals—Lai Quoc Huy (35), Bui Van Thanh (40, both from Phu Tho province), Vo Ngoc Hung (37), and Nguyen Huy Bao (36, both Lam Dong residents)—were apprehended on-site.
Authorities seized one crusher, a stone grinder, a generator, screening equipment, a water pump, and 72 bags of gold-bearing ore at the scene. Inside the makeshift camp, hazardous mercury—a banned substance due to its severe environmental and health risks—was also discovered.
Subsequent searches of the suspects’ residences yielded an additional 40 bags of ore, a container of chemicals, and seven gold-like lumps. Preliminary investigations revealed the group had extracted over 5 tons of ore, isolating approximately 700 grams of gold (roughly 18 taels). All recovered gold has been confiscated.
Suspects and seized evidence suspected to be gold.
The Lam Dong Provincial Police are expanding their investigation to trace the supply chain of machinery and chemicals, while assessing environmental damages for stringent legal action.
Prosecution and arrest of Branch Director of Land Registration Office and former Deputy Chairman of District People’s Committee
Lam Dong Provincial Police Investigative Agency has filed charges and detained Mr. Le Ngoc Sanh, former Deputy Chairman of Cat Tien District People’s Committee, and Mr. Huynh Tri, Director of the Land Registration Office Branch of Cat Tien District.
