VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Public Security has asked the police of Binh Phuoc province to urgently report about the case in which the Binh Phuoc Livestock Company accused the environmental crime prevention police agency (PC49) of abusing power, raising difficulties, causing heavy losses for the firm.
According to records, on January 15, 2013, the Binh Phuoc Livestock Company, based in Tan Lap Commune, Dong Phu District, Binh Phuoc province, was inspected by PC49. The firm was found to violate the rules on wastewater treatment and discharge. In late February, PC49 proposed Binh Phuoc province to fine the firm totaling VND225 million ($11,000). However, due to controversy over the case, the local government has yet to issue the sanction decision.
Since then PC49 constantly summoned board members, shareholders and even the partner of the company – the CP Vietnam Livestock JSC (Thailand). PC49 also sent its staff to the head office of the company and its partner and to the hometown of a shareholder in Ha Tinh province to investigate. This agency requested these people to provide the entire economic contracts, asked them about the source of funds, the use of capital… In March 2013, this company, its shareholders and its partner had to work with PC49 for more than 10 times.
The Binh Phuoc Livestock Company said that the environment police abused its power by questioning its shareholders about the company’s investment profiles.
“If our company commits environmental violations, the environmental police agency can handle our violations under its authority. Why does the environment police agency investigate our economic activities, which has affected our operations?” questioned Mr. Vu Manh Hung, the company’s chair.
Colonel Tra Van Hong – head of PC49 Binh Phuoc – told Tuoi Tre Daily that this company did not build the wastewater treatment system yet but it had raised pigs, so this agency recommended the local authorities to impose fine on this firm. In addition, PC49 also found signs of tax evasion so it asked the permission from the board of directors of Binh Phuoc Police Agency to continue collecting evidence before transferring the case to other police agencies to further investigate. The colonel said that PC49 did not abuse power because the agency had reported to the board of directors.
Answering the question why PC49 investigated tax evasion of this business, Colonel Tran Thang Phuc – deputy director of the Binh Phuoc Provincial Police Agency said the investigators verified the source of capital of shareholders is normal in order to determine whether the company can afford … the construction of the wastewater treatment system or not.
Phuc added that in mid-May 2013 the case was transferred to the Economic Crime Prevention Police Department (PC46).
Binh Phuoc Livestock Company did not agree with the explanations, saying that since the company was investigated, the firm has not received any official decision on inspection of their operations. Therefore, the purpose of summoning representatives, shareholders and partners of the company by PC49 is not clear.
Compiled by M. Phuong