According to the indictment of the People's Procuracy of Quang Ninh province, in 2024, defendants Bui Xuan Truong, Nguyen Trung Lap and Nguyen Thi Mai repeatedly bought, transported, and hidden a total of 30,880 packs of smuggled cigarettes with many brands such as Hero, Esse, Richmond, Zest, State Express, Shuang Xi, ZO UK, etc.
In which, Bui Xuan Truong is the leader, directly contacting the source of goods, organizing transportation and distribution. Nguyen Trung Lap and Nguyen Thi Mai play active role as accomplices, participating in importing goods, hiding and consuming.
To conceal their behavior, the group used social networks and many different phone numbers, often changing recipients and senders. The information on the packaging was forged as "Phuong Thao Shop" to deceive the authorities.
Investigation results determined that the boxes of smuggled cigarettes were often sent from Di An (Binh Duong), with fake labels before being transported to Quang Ninh.
When the goods arrived, Truong directly received them or let Lap go to Quang Hanh Post Office and Ha Khanh Post Office to receive them. In addition, a large quantity of goods were hidden in a warehouse at 443B, Nguyen Duc Canh Street, Quang Hanh Ward.
During the search, the authorities seized 28,380 packs of smuggled cigarettes, 2 motorbikes (Honda Wave, Honda Airblade), 1 Nokia phone and many other phones, 70 bottles of foreign wine of unknown origin, along with books and related documents.
After reviewing all the evidence and statements at the trial, the panel sentenced: Bui Xuan Truong: 8 years in prison; Nguyen Trung Lap: 8 years in prison; Nguyen Thi Mai: 7 years and 6 months in prison.
