A man in Ninh Giang received 15 months in prison for buying 2 jars of wine soaked with king cobra.

On the morning of April 24, the People's Court of Ninh Giang district held a first-instance trial of a criminal case, sentencing defendant Nguyen Van Truong, born in 1982, in Dong Lac village, Hong Duc commune (Ninh Giang) to 15 months in prison, suspended for violating regulations on the protection of endangered, precious, and rare animals.

Previously, in June 2023, Truong visited his wife's hometown in Van Chan district (Yen Bai). On the way, Truong met a woman wearing Mong ethnic costume selling 2 glass jars containing 3 snakes soaked in wine. Truong asked to buy the 2 jars for 1.9 million VND. After buying, Truong brought them back to the restaurant he owns in Dong Lac village, Hong Duc commune (Ninh Giang) for display and use.

On the afternoon of January 12, the inspection team to ensure food safety during the Tet holiday and the 2024 Spring Festival season of Ninh Giang District People's Committee coordinated with Ninh Giang District Police to inspect and 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 with Decree No. 64/2019/ND-CP, dated July 16, 2019 of the 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.