A number of murders have been committed by Nguyen Thi Hong Bich, 38, in Dong Nai province. The victims were all killed by cyanide. Bich, arrested by police, admitted that she had killed her husband and other relatives with cyanide because of conflicts in daily life. 

Dong Nai Police have filed charges against Bich for murder and expanded the sphere of investigation to find out how Bich bought, stored and used cyanide.

Multiple murderers, in fact, have declared before the court that they bought cyanide in the market to commit crime.

When VietNamNet reporters surfed the internet to purchase cyanide, they were surprised to see many ads for cyanide.

A Facebook account with the name ‘N.N.T’ advertised that he had just got cyanide from a supplier and the products were available. The seller advertised that people could buy cyanide to use to galvanize products or use in experiments, and he vowed not to sell cyanide for illegal activities. He also recommended not to touch the element directly because it is extremely toxic.

However, observers commented that the warning was just for form’s sake. In reality, people just make a call to order cyanide and products will be shipped door to door, or customers can go directly to shops to buy cyanide at VND500,000 per 100 grams.

VietNamNet reporters found another ad which said cyanide was available and would be sold to those who order at least 0.5 kilograms. 

The seller never asked about the purpose of cyanide use, and did not care who bought it, whether businesses or individuals. He just asked to provide information about addresses and affirmed that buyers can order cyanide in large quantity. No deposit was required, and clients only had to make payment when getting deliveries by COD (cash on delivery).

Ads about cyanide sales can also be seen in groups on social networks with tens of thousands of members in each group. Most of the ads show that the purchase/sale of the toxin can be conducted via the internet and delivery service, and buyers and sellers don’t have to meet.

A Vietnamese trading floor providing goods online was also found having cyanide available. However, information about the cyanide sales has been removed. 

On many other websites specializing in trading chemicals, one can also find cyanide available. The chemical is introduced as use in galvanizing gold, silver and some alloys, or in labs, research institutes, factories and schools. 

The websites warn that only businesses that have licenses to use cyanide can buy the chemical, and give recommendations about the dangers, warning that it may cause death if someone has direct contact with it. 

However, when reporters followed the steps as instructed to buy cyanide kali on websites, they were told to place orders, make payment, leave names, e-mails, and  telephone numbers, while there was no requirement to show license to use cyanide.

VIetNamNet reporters tried to contact a website specializing in providing chemicals and talked with a saleswoman. When the saleswoman heard that the buyer was an individual, not a licensed business, she replied that she could not sell the products. However, when reporters, acting as buyers, insisted on buying cyanide, the saleswoman said someone would contact the buyers later.

Chemicals poorly controlled 

Kim Bien Market in HCM City is known as a chemicals market. Two or three years ago, before some murder cases were discovered and victims were poisoned with cyanide, agencies took an inspection tour to the market and stopped the sale of cyanide. However, according to N, a veteran trader at Kim Bien Market, cyanide is still sold there.

N said that some merchants at the market still have cyanide for sale, but they only sell products to loyal clients. She said it would be better to purchase cyanide on the internet.

Lawyer Dao Thi Bich Lien from Ha Hai and Associate Law Firm, a member of the HCM City Bar Association, confirmed that toxins and prohibited chemicals are sold in many places. The control of the purchase and sale of toxic chemicals is stipulated in Article 23 of the Law on Chemicals, Article 39 in Circular 28/2010, and Decree 108/2008.

Dam De - Quynh Trang