Four people detained over bribery allegations as part of a wider probe centred on certification procedures for durian exports to China
Vietnamese authorities have escalated their investigation into certification procedures for durian exports to China with four new arrests, including the deputy minister of agriculture and environment.
According to a Bloomberg report, deputy minister Hoang Trung is accused of abusing his position by issuing illegal policies and allegedly creating “sub-licences” to serve vested interests and generate large illicit gains linked to durian exports, according to a statement from the Ministry of Public Security.
The deputy head of department of crop production and plant protection, was also arrested, along with two other agricultural ministry officials, who have been accused of allegedly falsifying official documents.
Police allege the breaches caused significant damage to the rights and interests of durian growers and export businesses, resulting in substantial losses to the state budget and undermining the reputation and brand of Vietnamese agriculture.
The arrests represent an expansion of an investigation into the Centre for Testing, Certification and Quality Services, NhoNho Technology, Thủy Fruit One Member, and other organisations and individuals linked to the export of durians to China.
