The Ho Chi Minh City Criminal Police Division said on June 11 that officers, working with other agencies, had broken up a major cat theft ring and detained or questioned nine suspects.
The individuals were identified as Nguyen Thanh Tuan, born in 1987; Nguyen Thi Thanh Tam, born in 1981; Nguyen Thanh Tu, born in 1983; Nguyen Van Du, born in 1997; Le Huynh Ba, born in 1987; Le Kha Vinh, born in 2004; Le Dinh Toan, born in 1973; Le Dinh Trung; Doan Van Toa, born in 1994; and Nguyen Van Lap, born in 1980.
The suspects after being detained (Photo: Nguyen Trang).
According to investigators, authorities uncovered a large-scale network involved in the theft and collection of cats and dogs. During questioning, the suspects allegedly admitted organising trapping and collection activities across multiple localities over the past three years.
Police said that after stealing or collecting cats, the suspects kept the animals in cages at various locations until sufficient numbers had been gathered. The animals were then sold to Le Huynh Ba for around VND 70,000 (approximately USD 2.70) per kilogramme. Transactions reportedly took place every two to three days.
Investigators alleged that Ba transported the cats to Truc Quynh Parking Yard in My Hanh Commune, Tay Ninh Province, where they were sold on to other buyers.
Acting on information obtained during the investigation, officers conducted an urgent inspection of the site.
At the location, police discovered 45 cages containing approximately 400 live cats. Officers also seized four foam containers holding about 80 dead cats preserved with ice and allegedly prepared for transportation and sale.
In a separate operation in Linh Xuan Ward, authorities found and rescued an additional 21 cats.
Police are continuing to investigate the network's operations and determine the role of each suspect in the collection, transportation and sale of the animals.
Authorities have urged anyone whose cat may have been stolen to contact the Criminal Police Division at 9 Hanoi Highway, Tang Nhon Phu Ward, to help identify the animals and assist with the investigation.
