VietNamNet Bridge – A man was arrested yesterday on suspicion of stealing over 500 Ngoc Linh ginseng plants from a ginseng farm in Quang Nam Province last Tuesday.

A seven-year-old Ngoc Linh ginseng plant in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum. A man was arrested on suspicion of stealing over 500 Ngoc Linh ginseng plants worth VND300 million (US$13,200) from a ginseng farm in Quang Nam Province. – VNA/VNS Photo Quang Thai

The plants, which are between 2 and 17 years old, are worth VND300 million (US$13,200).

The incident was reported to local police when Ho Van Duong, the farm owner, visited his farm last Wednesday and detected that thieves had removed ginseng plants, weighing nearly 9 kilograms in total, from the garden.

Immediately after hearing of the incident, district authorities asked local police to investigate.

Ho Quang Buu, chairman of Nam Tra My District’s People’s Committee, said yesterday that the main suspect of the incident had been arrested.

He is identified as Phan Quoc Dan, 28, a forest ranger of Song Tranh Protective Forest.

Earlier on Sunday, the police from Nam Tra My District coordinated with Tam Ky Town in detaining Nguyen Ba Nguyet, 30, while he was on the way to bring nearly 4kg of the stolen ginseng for consumption.

Nguyet has allegedly confessed his crime and shared information about his accomplice.

He told police that as a person who knew clearly about geographical conditions, Dan had enticed him to steal ginseng plants in Duong’s farm in Tra Linh Commune.

Following Nguyet’s confession, the police have arrested his accomplice and seized the lost ginseng.

Ngoc Linh ginseng (Panax Vietnamensis or Vietnamese ginseng) was found on the mountain of the same name at an altitude of 2,598m on the border between Kon Tum and Quang Nam Province in the late 1960s.

Ngoc Linh ginseng is believed to rival Korean ginseng in its medicinal efficacy in improving the immunity, enhancing liver function and lowering cholesterol.

It is considered a "panacea" for patients suffering from cancer, as it boosts the immune system, relieves pain and reduces side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Since Ngoc Linh is rare and precious, a kilo of fresh ginseng can be sold at between VND40-50 million (US$1,750-$2,190) in the market.

VNS