Police officers carry out procedural measures against suspects in a bribery investigation linked to the supply of substandard food to a local school in Thai Nguyen Province, northern Vietnam, in this handout image released by the Ministry of Public Security.
Investigators charged the suspects with giving and receiving bribes in connection with contracts to provide meals and food to a school in the province, the ministry said.
Those detained include Nguyen Van Thanh, accused of offering bribes, and Nguyen Thi Tam and Tran Thi Hang, accused of accepting bribes.
According to initial findings, Thanh’s household business supplied food and meals to several schools in the former Dong Hy District between 2022 and 2026.
At Nam Hoa Kindergarten, investigators said Thanh agreed to pay Tam and Hang an amount equal to six percent of the monthly value of food purchases to secure contracts for the 2024–25 school year, with payments made from October 2024 to March 2026.
The case followed a complaint on March 25, 2026, from parents at Hoa Binh Kindergarten in the same province, who reported pork served at the school showed signs of disease.
Tests later found the meat positive for African swine fever virus and E. coli bacteria.
Authorities said it had been supplied by Thanh’s business.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and could be expanded.
