A Vietnamese man, whose body was found 'dumped' on the side of Abercynon mountain was probably involved in cannabis production, an inquest has heard.
Despite an “extensive” investigation police have been unable to find out what exactly happened to Minh Duc Hoang - who also went by the name of Tinh Van Tran.
No one has been prosecuted for his death.
He was discovered on December 2, 2014, about an hour after a white van was seen near the area by driver Sarinder Randhawa at about 6.50pm. Giving evidence at the inquest, Mr Randhawa said that as he passed the van the van’s driver honked its horn and a man ran towards it.
At an inquest in Aberdare Coroners Court, Detective Constable Nicole Lloyd said it was not immediately known who the 41-year-old was.
Items found "formed a large part of the investigation"
“When he was discovered, alongside clothing and documents, inquiries were made and it was ascertained that the deceased had been arrested in London in February, 2014,” DC Lloyd said.
“Prints had been taken and these prints were matched with those taken from the deceased.
“We made inquiries to the Vietnamese Embassy and they provided a print and all three were the same.”
Items found with Mr Hoang were “most significant” and “formed a large part of the investigation.”
“The body did not appear to have been there that long,” DC Lloyd said.
“Documentation indicated there was a link to cannabis production and drug-related crime so the investigation developed from that.
“There was a note pad that had phone numbers, lists and different items.
“Also, the crime scene investigator who attended thought there was a strong smell of cannabis.”
Unknown DNA profiles were found on evidence but they were unconnected to suspects in the case.
“From the documentation that was found we had expert drug witnesses look at them and establish they were in fact lists of items used for cultivation of cannabis,” DC Lloyd said.
SIM cards found with Mr Hoang had been used in Newport on the day of his death, but it remains unclear by who.
“In the Newport area there were significant inquiries,” DC Lloyd said.
“The medical cause of his death has to be recorded as unascertained”
Home office pathologist Deryk James examined the body after it was discovered. He said Hoang had no mud on his shoes which made him think the body had been dumped.
The hearing heard that the deceased was found with a small amount of blood on his unpierced ears and marks on the body that suggested he might have been electrocuted.
“A Vietnamese man was found dumped and we have to view this in the context of drug cultivation and unsafe electrical installation,” Dr James said.
Hoang also had emphysema but not advanced enough to have killed him.
“The medical cause of his death has to be recorded as unascertained,” Dr James said.
Coroner Andrew Barkley recorded an open conclusion into the death.
He said: “What gave rise to his death, whether this was a natural event in circumstances in which he may have been involved in the illegal production of cannabis I cannot say. I can’t say it’s due to an unnatural event.”
see-http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/mystery-still-surrounds-death-man-11849913
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