Buying a wine bottle containing a king cobra to display, the restaurant owner was sentenced

On April 24, the People’s Court of Ninh Giang district (Hai Duong province) opened a first-instance trial of the criminal case, sentencing defendant Nguyen Van Truong (born 1982, residing in Dong Lac village, Hong Duc commune, Ninh Giang district) ) 15 months in prison, suspended sentence for violating regulations on protecting endangered, precious and rare animals.

Previously, in June 2023, Truong went to his wife’s hometown in Van Chan district (Yen Bai province) to visit and met a woman wearing Mong ethnic costumes selling 2 glass jars containing 3 individual king cobras soaked in wine. Truong asked to buy the above two bottles for 1.9 million VND. After purchasing, Truong brought it back to the restaurant he owns in Dong Lac village, Hong Duc commune (Ninh Giang district) to display and use.

On the afternoon of January 12, 2024, the inspection team to ensure food safety during the Dragon Festival and the 2024 Spring Festival season of Ninh Giang District People’s Committee in coordination with Ninh Giang District Police discovered.

The king cobra has the scientific name Ophiophagus hannah, belonging to the reptile class. The king cobra species is listed in Appendix I, the list of endangered, precious and rare species prioritized for protection, issued together with Decree No. 64/2019/ND-CP, dated July 16, 2019 of the Government. government. The king cobra is also listed in group IB, the list of endangered, precious and rare forest plants and animals, issued with Decree No. 84/2021/ND-CP, dated September 22, 2021 of the Government. government.