On the afternoon of September 20, the Investigation Police Agency of Binh Thuan province executed an arrest warrant for Tran Van Thuan (also known as "Tu Ac"), 55, from Son My Commune, Ham Tan District, Binh Thuan. He is accused of violating regulations on resource extraction.

Tran Van Thuan, who serves as the director of Long Thai Viet Co. Ltd., is widely known as the mastermind behind illegal mineral extraction operations in the region.

The initial investigation revealed that in early April, Thuan directed his employees at Long Thai Viet to operate machinery (excavators, dump trucks) and laborers to illegally extract soil beyond the permitted depth at the company’s mining site. The extracted soil, amounting to 16,713 cubic meters and valued at over VND 2.2 billion, was stockpiled for later sale.

Thuan’s company also used this soil to level areas outside the licensed mining zone.

In June, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Binh Thuan transferred the case to the provincial police for further investigation after uncovering significant violations.

Authorities found that Long Thai Viet had exceeded the allowable mining depth and operated beyond the licensed boundary. The company reported only 22,828 cubic meters of mined material, while the actual volume extracted was 48,868 cubic meters.

In addition, the company was found to have sold and transported 24,828 cubic meters of illegally obtained sand, earning more than VND 1 billion in illegal profits.

The Binh Thuan provincial police are continuing their investigation into the case.

Quang Hung