Chapter 61 — Shrimp Street Without Name

Sarah's reportage, after being published, was quickly translated into many languages and widely spread on international social networking platforms, attracting the attention of many human rights organizations and even a number of foreign parliamentarians interested in the issue of cross-border human trafficking. International pressure began to have a concrete impact: the embassy of the country where the three victims were detained officially pledged to support the investigation, and promised to increase coordination in the search for the fourth person still missing.

Facing increasing pressure from both inside and outside the country, Coastal Mien Hai Group, for the first time since the incident began, officially spoke out through a brief press release, denying any connection with the human trafficking allegations, affirming that they are just pure financial investors, not participating in the direct operating activities of Ocean or any other subsidiary.

“This is the first time they officially admitted their connection with Dai Duong, even if only at a financial level,” lawyer Hoang analyzed in a meeting with Hai Yen and Kien. "This, indirectly, confirms what we have discovered through money tracing. They cannot continue to completely deny it like before."

At the same time, a new flow of information appeared through the communication channel with the international NGO that Hai Yen had previously connected with. They provided information about a similar network that was exposed in another Southeast Asian country three years ago, with almost identical methods of operation: taking advantage of the fishing industry to hide human trafficking activities, using complex shell companies to launder money and avoid legal responsibility.

“If this is indeed the same network, or related to each other,” Hai Yen said, her voice full of thought as she looked through documents sent by international organizations, “then the true scale of this criminal organization is much larger than we ever imagined, beyond the scope of Vietnam alone.”

Kien, looking through the documents, pointed to a description of how the network in the other country laundered money. "Looking at the way they describe the shell company structure," he said, "it's almost identical to what we found around the Coastal Mien Hai Group. Same investment fund registered in Singapore, same layered through many layers of intermediary companies to hide the real owner."

“Maybe this is not a coincidence,” lawyer Hoang commented, her voice serious. "It is possible that we are facing a transnational criminal network, using the same operating model in many different countries in the region. If so, this would be an important discovery far beyond the scope of our case."

Hai Yen sat speechless before the new, overwhelming scale of what was gradually being revealed. She remembers the first day she stood in front of the container yard at Nam Can port, with just a small suspicion about a returned shipment, never imagining that her journey would lead her so far as to touch a criminal network that could spread throughout Southeast Asia.

“We need to share this entire discovery with the investigating agency,” she said, her voice regaining its steadiness. “And perhaps, coordination at a higher international level is needed, beyond the capabilities of the team alone Provincial investigation.”

The lieutenant, when informed of this new discovery, confirmed that he would report to his superiors to consider the possibility of transferring part of the case to a central investigation agency, and possibly even coordinate with Interpol if the international scale of the case is confirmed. “This is an important turning point,” he said over the phone, his voice both serious and somewhat cautious. “But it also means that the case will become much more complicated, and it may take longer to reach a final conclusion.”

“I understand,” Hai Yen replied, although in her heart she could not help but feel a little disappointed at the prospect of having to wait any longer. “But if it is necessary to ensure that justice is fully served, I am willing to be patient.”

In the evening, when sitting alone, Hai Yen opened a map of Southeast Asia on her computer, marking locations related to the incident: Vietnam, the country where the three victims were detained, and now, another country that had a similar incident. She looked at the map, feeling more clearly than ever, the fight she was pursuing had gone far beyond the borders of a small coastal land, becoming part of a much larger struggle, against a system of crime that was deeply rooted in a large geographical area.

She called Minh Khang to share her new discovery, knowing that he would be the best person to help her verify more information through her international network of journalist colleagues. After listening, his voice was filled with excitement mixed with caution.

“If it is true that there is a transnational network, this will be one of the largest human trafficking and money laundering investigations in the region in recent years,” he said. “I will contact several colleagues in neighboring countries to see if they have any additional information, but we need to be extremely careful not to reveal any details that could jeopardize the investigation or other potential victims.”

“I understand,” Hai Yen replied. “I just want us to have enough information to understand the true scale of what we are facing, before deciding on our next step.”

In the following days, Minh Khang gradually gathered some more clues from international colleagues, confirming that a similar pattern of activity had appeared in at least two other countries in the region, although there was no direct evidence linking them to the same group of leaders. This is an important but also challenging discovery, requiring complex coordination between many authorities of different countries, a process that Hai Yen clearly understands will not happen quickly.

In the midst of these rapid developments, she still tries to maintain the rhythm of her daily life, spending time with her mother, with Kien, and with simple moments amid the constant information storm. She understands that to be able to complete this long journey, she needs to keep herself in balance, not letting herself be completely swept away in the whirlwind of the investigation, no matter how attractive and important it is.

“I think,” she shared with Kien on a rare quiet evening, “we need to accept that there are parts of this story that will take years, maybe even decades, to be fully resolved. Thing It is important that we continue to contribute our part, however small, to that bigger picture.”

Kien nodded and took her hand. “We have done more than most people dare to dream of. Regardless of the end result, I believe what we have done has changed the lives of many people, in better ways.”

Hai Yen leaned her head on his shoulder, looking out at the dark yard outside the window, where the late moonlight shined a faint streak of light on the potted plants her mother took care of every day. She thought of Hung and Ms. Tu Loan's family, of other families waiting for news about missing relatives, of victims in distant countries that she had never been to but now, their fates had also become a part of her journey.

“There are times,” she said quietly, “I wonder if I'm taking on too much, trying to shoulder responsibility for problems that go far beyond the original scope of my family's story. But then I thought, if not me, then who will connect these disparate pieces together?

“I don't hold everything,” Kien replied, his voice firm. “You simply cannot ignore the truth, once you see it. It is not a burden you choose, but a responsibility that comes naturally to those whose conscience is strong enough not to turn away.”

They sat together for a while more in silence, enjoying that rare moment of peace before Kien had to return, leaving Hai Yen with endless thoughts about the growing scale of the war she was pursuing, and about the inner strength she would need to be able to fully go to the end of the road, no matter how far that road was and how many more challenges she had to overcome.