"The nemesis" of drug crimes

Captain Tran Vinh Chinh was born into a family where both his parents were factory workers, employed at a rubber plantation in Ea Hleo district, Dak Lak province.

As a child, Chiến was fascinated by police crime dramas on television. The image of police officers bravely confronting criminals left a deep impression on him. From then on, he harbored the dream of wearing the police uniform and becoming a "steel shield" protecting national security.

Determined to pursue that arduous path, he passed the entrance exam to the People's Security University (Ho Chi Minh City), specializing in investigating crimes against national security. After graduating in 2017, Chiến was assigned to work at Investigation Team 2, Security Investigation Department, Ho Chi Minh City Police.

Captain Tran Vinh Chien (born in 1994) is known as the "nemesis" of drug criminals.

A crucial turning point came for him in early February 2020, when the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department implemented a policy of transferring a number of young investigators from the security system to the police system to improve the effectiveness of combating and suppressing criminal and drug-related crimes. Being transferred to the Investigation Guidance Team - Drug Crime Investigation Department, this "turn" was both a challenge and a valuable opportunity for the young officer at the time.

Chiến shared that, initially, switching to the drug crime sector made him quite worried. This type of crime carries many risks, not only because of the audacity of the perpetrators, but also due to the complex and unpredictable nature of drug trafficking and transportation networks.

Evidence seized during drug crime crackdown operations carried out by the Ho Chi Minh City Police, in which Captain Tran Vinh Chien participated.

The amount of money these networks earn is often enormous, leading to highly sophisticated methods of concealing and disposing of evidence and information. Furthermore, the ringleaders often seek to collude with "links" in multiple locations, even across borders, to expand their operations.

However, the more he interacted with this field of crime, the more Chiến was able to develop his abilities. The "difficult and dangerous" nature of this field became a source of motivation for him to constantly improve his skills, explore, and learn from experienced colleagues.

In that environment, he matured quickly, absorbing many valuable lessons, from information gathering techniques and surveillance skills to the ability to analyze and synthesize information to thoroughly dismantle entire networks.

During his years working at the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department (PC14), Mr. Tran Vinh Chien achieved many outstanding accomplishments.

During his career, Officer Chien participated in the investigation of numerous major and minor drug-related cases. One of the most significant was the VN10 case , launched after authorities discovered a large quantity of drugs at Tan Son Nhat Airport on March 16, 2023. This was a particularly serious case, spanning multiple provinces and cities, and potentially involving individuals both domestically and internationally.

Particularly in this case, Chiến and his teammates made full use of technical tools and high-tech applications to track and monitor suspected individuals.

He stated that in the era of Industry 4.0, drug criminals are also tending to shift to more sophisticated methods, using encrypted messaging applications, transactions via e-wallets, cryptocurrencies, or foreign social networks. Thanks to training and continuous updating of new technological knowledge, Chiến and his team have gradually uncovered many tactics used to conceal and evade law enforcement agencies.

The success of the VN10 operation not only signifies a strong and effective strike against a major drug trafficking ring, but also opens up a new direction for methods of investigating and suppressing drug crimes in Ho Chi Minh City.

According to Mr. Chien, this result demonstrates a shift in mindset, which is not to stop at catching a few isolated "links," but to sweep through and dismantle the entire network. That is the only way to stop the flow of drugs from its roots and ensure long-term control.

Mr. Tran Vinh Chien was honored as an outstanding young person in Ho Chi Minh City following President Ho Chi Minh's teachings in 2024.

In the context of increasingly sophisticated drug crimes and the use of various tricks in the digital environment, failure to "upgrade" oneself will easily lead to falling behind. Therefore, he regularly updates his security applications, learns how to verify identity through social media, and understands virtual financial transaction methods, etc.

Whenever they encountered difficulties in solving cases related to technology, he and his colleagues would consult with cybersecurity experts, thereby coming up with timely solutions.

According to Mr. Chien, to effectively combat drug crime, it's impossible to go it alone; it requires multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary coordination, especially with a team of highly skilled technicians.

Before each operation, the leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City Police and the PC04 Department always provide close guidance and develop numerous contingency plans to ensure the highest level of safety for the participating forces. Every step is meticulously planned. However, there is another challenge, less dangerous but equally mentally demanding: the sacrifice of time spent with family and loved ones.

Mr. Chien admitted that, due to the nature of his job requiring him to closely monitor subjects day and night, he rarely has enough time to spend with his wife and children. During holidays, weekends, or days off, he always has to be ready to take on assignments.

His wife, Bui Thi Le Ha, despite knowing the dangers and hardships of her husband's work, silently cared for their home, raised their children, and handled all the household chores. It was this understanding, empathy, and support that gave him the immense motivation to confidently tackle the most challenging cases.

Mr. Chien believes that everyone is born with a mission to contribute to the community. For him, that mission is to reduce the supply and demand of drugs in Ho Chi Minh City, preserve a clean living environment, and minimize drug-related crimes and social ills. It's also a way to protect his family.

For Mr. Chien, the effort to reduce the supply and demand of drugs in Ho Chi Minh City, maintain a clean environment, and limit drug-related crimes and social ills is also a way to protect his family.

Mr. Chien stated: "In reality, drugs not only directly affect users but also lead to other types of crime such as theft, robbery, and violence. After dismantling several large drug trafficking rings, the rate of robbery and public disorder in some 'hot spots' of Ho Chi Minh City has significantly decreased. There were even days when districts reported 'no robberies at all'."

As one of the nominees for the Outstanding Young Vietnamese Faces Award 2024, Chiến humbly stated that this honor is not just for him personally, but is the collective achievement of the entire team.

He said that, in the police force, teamwork is vital, because only when everyone is united, working towards a common goal, and sharing information promptly, can the pursuit and dismantling of criminals proceed smoothly.

For Mr. Chien, being nominated for the Outstanding Young Vietnamese Face Award 2024 is a great honor. It is a great honor not only for him personally but also a collective achievement of the entire team.

Looking to the future, Mr. Chien places strong faith in the younger generation – those who will inherit the mission of building Ho Chi Minh City into a developed, dynamic, yet safe city.

"The new generation has a great advantage in technology and quick thinking. If properly guided and given opportunities, young people will continue to make very important contributions to crime prevention," Mr. Chien affirmed.

Besides his professional work, Mr. Chien is always willing to share his experience and inspire enthusiasm in young people passionate about the police force, or anyone who wishes to contribute to society.

He believes that, regardless of their position or field, if each person strives to do their job well and works together for the benefit of the community, the city will certainly become more civilized and livable.

Captain Tran Vinh Chien reports on his achievements in front of the statue of President Ho Chi Minh .

The training and dedication of Tran Vinh Chien serves as a shining example, spreading positive energy and inspiring a beautiful way of life for young police officers in Ho Chi Minh City in particular, and for youth union members and young people in the city in general, in terms of patriotism, the aspiration to contribute, and the desire to strive for "peaceful lives and happiness for the people," making silent contributions to the development of the city and the country.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/khac-tinh-cua-toi-pham-ma-tuy-post1724396.tpo