Vietnam in shock: Police lieutenant slain as drug ring fires AK-47s during bust

A police officer was killed in the line of duty during a major drug bust in northern Vietnam, as authorities uncovered a large-scale heroin trafficking operation involving armed suspects who violently resisted arrest.

Lieutenant Nguyen Dang Khai, a 35-year-old officer with the Drug Crime Investigation Division of the Quang Ninh Provincial Police Department, died on the night of April 17 while pursuing suspects in a criminal ring smuggling large quantities of heroin into the region.

According to the Quang Ninh Police, the operation stemmed from an investigation into a major drug trafficking network led by 58-year-old Nguyen Huu Dang, a resident of Hung Thang Ward in Ha Long City.

Police had gathered enough intelligence to launch a coordinated raid, identifying Dang as the ringleader of a group involved in transporting and selling illegal drugs.

At approximately 8:20 p.m. on April 17, undercover units apprehended Dang near the Dragon Castle apartment complex in Ha Long City as he attempted to conduct a transaction involving 16 bricks of heroin.

Following his arrest, additional police units moved quickly to round up other individuals connected to the ring, including Bui Dinh Khanh, 31, of Gieng Day Ward, Ha Long City, and a group of men from Phu Tho Province believed to be involved in drug distribution.

Bui Dinh Khanh is under a special wanted notice. Photo: D.X

During the pursuit near the Dai Yen toll station, police intercepted a vehicle carrying suspect Ha Thuong Hai, 31, of Tan Son District in Phu Tho. However, as officers moved in to detain him, the remaining suspects on board opened fire with AK-47 rifles in an attempt to free their associate.

Lieutenant Khai was shot in the exchange of gunfire. Despite being rushed to Bai Chay Hospital by his fellow officers, he succumbed to his injuries.

In the wake of the officer’s death, Deputy Minister of Public Security Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Long, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Public Security’s Criminal Investigation and Drug Crime Investigation departments, traveled to Quang Ninh overnight to oversee the manhunt and ensure support for the officer’s family.

Local officials, including Quang Ninh Party Secretary Vu Dai Thang and leaders from the provincial People’s Committee and military command, convened an emergency meeting to coordinate efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects and enforce relevant policies for officers killed or wounded in the line of duty.

Initial questioning of suspects Dang and Hai confirmed their involvement in drug trafficking. Authorities seized 16 bricks of heroin, two military-grade firearms, one grenade, three cars, and various other pieces of evidence.

By 4:30 a.m. on April 18, police had arrested two additional suspects - Ha Quang Son and Hoang Van Dong - while they were attempting to flee. Both men, aged 31, are from Thu Cuc Commune, Tan Son District, Phu Tho Province.

The primary suspect still at large is Bui Dinh Khanh, who managed to evade capture during the raid. On April 18, Quang Ninh police issued a special nationwide arrest warrant for Khanh, urging anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts to immediately contact law enforcement authorities, including the provincial Drug Crime Investigation Division via phone at 0692.808.195.

According to the investigation, Khanh was last seen at around 12:30 a.m. on April 18, hitching a ride on a container truck near the Phu Thai gas station in Kim Thanh District, Hai Duong Province, along the QL5B highway. Police are calling on the unidentified truck driver to report to local authorities to provide information.

Separately, residents in Dai Yen Ward, Ha Long, played a key role in alerting police during the manhunt. Dinh Van V., 63, recounted how a white pickup truck sped up to the gate of his home at around 9 p.m. on April 17. A man in a red shirt exited the vehicle and fled toward National Highway 18.

Finding the situation suspicious, Mr. V. and neighbors quickly contacted local police. Upon arrival, officers discovered the vehicle had been abandoned with firearms and a grenade still inside. The area was promptly secured.

“I thought it was someone trying to avoid a sobriety checkpoint, but when they found a grenade and guns in the truck, I was shocked,” Mr. V. told VietNamNet.

Further investigation revealed that Khanh had been hiding in plain sight in Ha Long. Neighbors described him as quiet and polite. He reportedly lived with his mother in Gieng Day Ward and was known to have worked at a restaurant in Bai Chay Ward. After Typhoon No. 3 struck northern Vietnam in 2024, Khanh appeared to stop working and claimed to be freelancing.

Locals expressed disbelief upon learning of his involvement in a drug ring.

“He used to work at a restaurant with my son. I never imagined he’d get involved in drugs, let alone something this serious,” a neighbor said.

Roughly one month before the incident, Khanh purchased a white five-seat car that he rarely used. Authorities later found it parked in a small alley near his residence.

Community leaders and members of the local neighborhood committee confirmed that Khanh had previously been associated with a group known for mischief but had recently rebranded himself as a respectful and reserved individual.

“He seemed to be settling down, often seen at home, sometimes going out in the evening. Nothing suspicious,” one local official said.

The investigation continues as authorities intensify the search for Khanh. The Quang Ninh Police Department is urging the public to remain vigilant and report any relevant information to officers in charge of the case, including Senior Officer Nguyen Trong Hung (0902.234.668) and Officer Nguyen Huu Quang (0978.145.863).

Lieutenant Khai’s death marks a profound loss for the Quang Ninh police force. He is remembered by colleagues as a brave, dedicated officer who made the ultimate sacrifice in the fight to protect his community.

His story stands as a solemn reminder of the ongoing risks law enforcement officers face in the battle against drug crime in Vietnam - a fight that, while long and dangerous, continues because of individuals like Nguyen Dang Khai.

VietBF@ Sưu tập