Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have arrested Tran Vinh Du, the owner of an aluminum recycling plant, for illegally dumping 100 tons of hazardous waste into the environment.

On February 13, the Ho Chi Minh City Police Investigation Agency announced that Tran Vinh Du, 37, had been charged and detained for "causing environmental pollution." The Binh Chanh District People's Procuracy approved the decision to prosecute and arrest the suspect.

In mid-2024, the Binh Chanh District Police conducted an inspection of Du’s aluminum recycling facility, located in Ap 58, Vinh Loc B Commune. Investigators discovered that the plant had been illegally discharging industrial waste directly onto three plots of land used for housing and production.

Forensic assessments confirmed that Du’s facility had released approximately 100 tons of aluminum ash and slag into the surrounding environment.

The police are continuing their investigation to determine the involvement of other individuals in the illegal dumping operation.

Second aluminum smelter owner also arrested for environmental violations

Late last month, Nguyen Ngoc Thuong, 42, another aluminum smelter owner in Vinh Loc B Commune, was also arrested and charged with the same offense. Thuong had instructed his workers to dump aluminum ash and slag directly within his facility’s premises.

Environmental assessments revealed that Thuong’s plant had illegally discharged nearly 7,800 tons of toxic waste into the environment.

The arrests highlight Ho Chi Minh City’s increasing crackdown on industrial pollution, as authorities step up efforts to prevent environmental violations and prosecute offenders.

Dam De