Vietnam police charge 22 in transnational diamond smuggling ring led by Indian, seize 1,100 diamonds

Police said the ring was allegedly directed from Hong Kong by an Indian national who sourced diamonds in India, consolidated shipments in Hong Kong, and arranged their illegal transport to Vietnam for distribution.

Investigators identified 32-year-old Indian national Abhishek Deepak Patel as the person responsible for managing the ring's diamonds and sales proceeds in Vietnam.

Police said Trinh Quang Chung, 42, traveled to Hong Kong to receive the diamonds before allegedly smuggling them into Vietnam, while Dang Ngoc Son, 21, distributed the stones to buyers in Ho Chi Minh City, An Giang Province, and Hanoi.

Authorities also identified Tran Thi Hang, 41, as another distributor who supplied diamonds to dealers and jewelry businesses after receiving them from Chung.

Thanh Hoa police, working with Ho Chi Minh City police, arrested 22 suspects and searched 20 locations, including jewelry businesses and residences, seizing 1,100 diamonds as well as documents, electronic data, transaction records, and other evidence.

Police said the network had completed 141 smuggling operations since 2024, bringing more than 28,000 diamonds into Vietnam with estimated sales of about VND280 billion.

The 22 suspects have been charged for their roles in transporting and trading smuggled diamonds, while the investigation is continuing.

Police urged consumers to buy diamonds only from licensed and reputable retailers that provide invoices and quality certification, and warned against unusually cheap offers and online investment schemes involving diamonds from unverified sources.