Following instructions from the Ministry of Public Security, Ho Chi Minh City police increased patrols. Since the start of the year, authorities handled 26 cases involving 54 suspects and returned recovered property to its owners.
After several dog thefts, the Criminal Police Division expanded its investigation and dismantled an interprovincial network. Buyers of stolen property were identified in Hanoi, Hai Phong, Hung Yen and Ninh Binh, covering the chain from thieves to collection and sales outlets.
Behind the individual dog thefts
Police said a stolen dog may be worth a few million dong, while families may value the animal for the years it lived with them. Organized groups used homemade electric shock devices and vehicles with fake license plates.
In June, police broke up a group that had trapped cats for about three years and transported them to buyers. More than 500 cats, about 400 alive, were found in Tay Ninh Province and Linh Xuan Ward. In another case, officers seized 50 cats and 55 traps on July 8 and later found that the group had stolen and sold about 2,700 cats. Proceedings were launched against 12 people, and the cats were returned or placed in care.
On October 8, police searched the residence of Nguyen Ba Long, born in 1997 and living in Long Binh Ward, Dong Nai City. They found 21 dead dogs in a car, then seized 32 more dogs and 57 butchered cats. Investigators said the group divided roles for finding, stealing, transporting and processing animals, finding buyers and distributing proceeds.
Following the money to buyers in northern Vietnam
Police examined buyers, transaction numbers and the management of sales proceeds. Four regular buyers were identified in Hanoi, Hai Phong, Hung Yen and Ninh Binh. Transactions exceeded VND 860 million, corresponding to more than 10 tonnes of dog meat.
Ho Chi Minh City police said the thefts could not continue without sales outlets. Businesses that knew the property's origin but continued to buy it enabled further thefts. “Without buyers and sales outlets, dog theft could not continue,” an investigator said.
Police urged businesses that trade, buy, transport or slaughter animals to follow the law and check their origin. Animals of unknown origin and property obtained through crime must not be bought or sold. Assisting, organizing, collecting or selling illegally obtained property will be punished under the law.
Sources: Dân Trí
