Haiphong police prosecuted a local couple for massive trade and production of weapons on June 21.
The pen guns
According to Colonel Le Hong Thang, deputy head of the investigation team, 38-year-old Duong Minh Nhat and 40-year-old Tran Thi Hong Van from Nghia Xa Ward in Le Chan District were arrested, but Van will has been bailed to raise their 10 month old child.
On June 18, 40 police conducted a surprise raid and discovered weapons including five pen guns or zip guns, two self-made guns, one grenade and other gun parts.
The couple said they were drug addicts but also skilled mechanics. After going to jail twice, Nhat was released in 2008 because he is in final stages of HIV infection. Nhat realised that gangsters were especially interested in acquiring compact guns that are easy to hide and cheap.
Taking the chance, the couple borrowed money to buy equipment such as wielding and cutting machines to create weapons. Their products included pen guns and the colt revolvers and both of these guns could use sports bullets that Van bought. They could produce a pen gun in just two days.
Van and Nhat earned huge profits from the business.
"This is the biggest weapon factory we’ve discovered. Their pen guns sold quickly and cost just VND2-3 million and the colts were sold at VND8-10 million per piece." Thang said.
Tran Thi Hong Van and Duong Minh Nhat
On June 19, the police raided Vu Thi Loan's house on Quang Trung Street and seized 22 guns, hundreds of shells and gun parts.
Haiphong police are expanding the investigation into one of the biggest illegal gun producing and trading cases in the city.
Gun manufacturing workshop
Equipment to make weapons
Police discovered many guns and parts
