Man arrested for smuggling explosive ordnances

Ninh Van Hoat, 34, a resident in Tam Ky Town, and five accomplices are now under investigation for “illegally storing, transporting, using, and trading explosive materials,” police said Thursday.

Hoat is believed to be in charge of a ring that smuggled almost one ton of explosives, more than 7,780 detonators and 431 bullets.

He works at a company in Quang Nam licensed to use explosives at construction sites and has taken advantage of its operation to smuggle explosive ordnances and distribute them across the province.

A police officer escorts Ninh Van Hoat as he is under arrest for smuggling explosives in Quang Nam Province, November 24, 2022. Photo by Quang Nam police

On Nov. 17, police caught Hoat and a man named Ho Van Tra, 25, on their way to deliver 125 kilograms of explosives and 5,000 detonators to Le Tien Dung, 43, in Phuoc Son District.

Inspecting Dung’s residence in Kham Duc Town, police found another 100 kilograms of explosives, 725 more detonators and two bombshells.

Smuggled explosives seized by police in Quang Nam, November 2022. Photo by the police

They also seized 500 kg of explosives from the house of Dang Sy Kieu, 48, in Tam Ky Town.

Kieu admitted to having bought the product from Hoat.

Expanding their investigation, police found 250 kg of explosives, 2,000 detonators, 430 bullets, and a homemade gun at the house in Nam Tra My District. Ly has escaped and is now wanted by police.