On May 7, a report outlining the results of a meeting held between the Ha Noi People’s Committee and leaders of functional agencies containing high-ranking officials that were involved in illegal activities at the New Century Nightclub were made public.
According to the report, disciplinary measures will be carried out by the Ha Noi People’s Committee against the 17 officials concerned.
A stern warning will also be served to the Inspector’s Mission Group number 4 under the Ha Noi Department of Culture and Information.
The disciplinary measures, however, represent only the first step in the proceedings. Once the results of the ongoing investigation into the case are released by the police, the Ha Noi People’s Committee has said that it will impose further penalties on any individuals or groups involved.
The Ha Noi People’s Committee also asked the Director of the Department of Trade and its related functional agencies to impose punishments by May 11 on any internal staff members found to have permitted the illegal sale of alcohol and cigarettes at the nightclub.
The Department of Trade asserted at the meeting that the sale of alcohol and cigarettes at the club was illegal since the Department of Culture and Information had neither extended nor renewed the club’s license to do so.
On May 7, the Department of Planning and Investment also officially withdrew the certificate of business registration held by club operator Thang Long Flamboyant Company Limited.
On the same day, the Investigative Police Bureau under the Ministry of Publich Security issued an arrest and temporary detention order against the club’s Director, Nguyen Dai Duong, for allegedly permitting the use and trafficking of illegal drugs in the club.
At the same time, arrest and temporary detention orders were issued against Le Thi Kim Anh, Truong Thi Thu Hien and Le Quoc Vuong for drug trafficking and Phan Thanh Ha and Le Thi Thanh Ha for the storage of illegal drugs.
With the exception of Le Thi Kim Anh, who has a baby, all of the suspects remain in custody.
