HCM City (VNA) - The Security Investigation Agency of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Public Security on October 3 announced that it has taken over the case of “organising illegal exit for others” from the city's Border Guard Command to continue investigation and handle the case in accordance with its authority.
According to the agency, on October 28, it issued decisions to prosecute and detain two suspects - Le Van Hoi, born in 1976, residing in Long Hai commune of HCM City, owner of two fishing vessels BV-93169-TS and BV-93269-TS, and Le Van Au, born in 1982, Hoi’s younger brother, residing in the same locality, on charges of “organising illegal exit for others” under Article 348 of the Penal Code. The HCM City People’s Procuracy subsequently approved the agency’s decisions and arrest warrants.
According to investigation results, on April 3, 2025, Hoi operated vessel BV-93269-TS as captain, while Au captained vessel BV-93169-TS. The two boats departed from Tan Phuoc Port in Long Hai commune with 12 fishermen to conduct offshore fishing.
On April 7, Hoi directed both boats to dock at Tho Quang port in Da Nang city, where he turned off the vessels’ monitoring devices. On April 9, without completing departure procedures, Hoi instructed the two vessels, carrying 14 crew members in total, including both captains, to leave the port and head towards foreign waters for illegal fishing.
In an attempt to evade detection, Hoi disconnected the vessels’ vessel monitoring systems (VMS) and automatic identification systems (AIS). On May 12, 2025, while fishing illegally in foreign waters, vessel BV-93269-TS, captained by Hoi with 11 crew members on board, was seized by foreign authorities for violating local maritime laws, while vessel BV-93169-TS with three crew members managed to flee back to Vietnamese waters.
After being dealt with by foreign authorities, vessel BV-93269-TS and its 11 crew members were released and returned to Vietnam, with the incident reported to Vietnamese authorities. On July 5, both vessels docked at Cat Lo port, Phuoc Thang ward, HCM City.
In strict compliance with directives from the Prime Minister, the Minister of Public Security, and the municipal People’s Committee on resolutely handling violations related to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, the Security Investigation Agency promptly finalised the case file. On November 1, it completed the investigation and forwarded the dossiers to the municipal People’s Procuracy for prosecution.
Previously, HCM City police had initiated five cases involving six defendants related to IUU fishing violations. All cases have been fully investigated, with indictments submitted for prosecution, and some have already been brought to mobile court hearings.
These actions reflected significant efforts by the city’s investigative and police forces in combating IUU fishing activities. The strict criminal handling of such cases serves as a deterrent, raising awareness and promoting compliance, thereby contributing to reducing IUU violations and supporting national efforts to have the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning on Vietnam’s seafood lifted.
The municipal police advised fishermen and vessel owners to strictly adhere to all regulations on preventing and combating IUU fishing./.
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