The raid occurred at 02:30 local time on July 8 in Dong Thanh Commune. Police recovered 50 cats, 55 traps, and two measuring scales, and seized a fur‑removal machine. The operation was carried out by the Ho Chi Minh City Police Anti‑Crime Unit.
Luu Thanh Binh, 39, is seen as the mastermind behind the ring, according to VnExpress International. Binh allegedly coordinated night‑time thefts, moving between residential blocks on motorbikes.
The suspects used fish as bait, placing traps outside homes where cats were kept. Each raid netted four to ten cats.
When questioned, the 12 men admitted to stealing roughly 2,700 cats and selling them on the black market. Police are still investigating how long the ring operated, which may have spanned several months.
Cat meat consumption remains legal in Vietnam, especially in the north, where older generations claim it brings good luck. A 2024 petition gathered more than 250,000 signatures demanding a ban on dog and cat meat.
The suspects now face property‑theft charges and will be tried in a city court. Law enforcement officials say the case will set a precedent for future prosecutions of animal‑meat trafficking.