The Investigation Security Agency of Hai Duong Province Police has just decided to prosecute the case, prosecute the accused and issue an arrest warrant to detain Dinh Trong Thuy (born in 1966, in Binh Han Ward, Hai Duong City, Hai Duong Province) for the crime of "Illegal storage and use of radioactive substances".

Through investigation, the security agency clarified that in June 2023, because she needed money to spend, Thuy had the idea of ​​buying and selling equipment for cheating gambling. Thuy went on Facebook to find out and contacted an account selling gambling equipment that contained "Iodine" with a radiation sensor vibration device. Thuy bought the "Iodine" (volume unknown) for 2 million VND and 3 radiation sensor devices.

Thuy knew that “Iodine” was radioactive because when she bought it, it was wrapped in lead to reduce radiation and its effects on health. Then, Thuy used a toothpick to apply “Iodine” to one side of many dice used in the dice game, then bought lead leaves at a fishing net shop in Hoi Do market (Hai Duong city), cut them into small leaves measuring 5x7cm to wrap the parts to reduce radiation and limit the effects on health before selling them to customers.

By September 2023, Thuy had sold 3 sets of ducks and sensors to 3 customers for 2 million VND/set and received cash directly. Thuy hid the remaining ducks in her house. Through a search of Thuy's house, the police discovered and seized 94 ducks and a number of other objects suspected of containing radioactive substances.

Immediately afterwards, the security investigation agency conducted an appraisal of 94 ducks and objects suspected of containing radioactive substances, determining that the "Iodine" substance above was radioactive substance I-125 with an activity intensity greater than the exemption level declared and licensed according to the National Technical Regulation on Radiation Safety. More dangerously, I-125 is a radioactive isotope of iodine that can affect human health even at room temperature. This radioactive substance is absorbed and concentrated in the human thyroid gland through the respiratory tract, leading to health risks.

MINH KHANG