Ha Tinh: Smuggling and Trade fraud are still complicated

The number of seizures fellby 18.5%compared to 2018. The Committee also handled 53 criminal cases with 59 suspects.

Ha Tinh Customs handled 129 violation cases with the value of infringing goods and fines more than 1.62 billion VND. Of which, it dealt with101 cases of administrative violations, 20 cases of illegal cross-border transportation of goods, eightcases of drug crime, seized 220 packages, 3.66 grams of heroin, 918 kg crystal meth, 61,597 tablets of synthetic drugs, 10 kg of drugs and 20 kg of fresh opium.

Competent forces inspected 40,000 tablets of synthetic drugs hidden in wooden flower vases. Photo: T.D

On January 23, at Cau Treo International Border Gate, the Investigation Police Department on Drug-related Crime under the Ministry of Public Security coordinated with Cau Treo International Border Gate Customs Branch and the Anti-drugs Enforcement Team (Ha Tinh Customs Department), Border Guard and Police of Ha Tinh and Nghe An Provinces in arresting Nguyen Van Anh who was transporting 120 packages of heroin.

On February 17, at Tau Bridge area 2, km 79, National Highway 8A under Kim Son 1 Commune, Ha Tinh Province, the Investigation Police Department on Drug-related Crime coordinated with Cau Treo International Border Gate Customs Branch and the Anti-drugs Enforcement Team (Ha Tinh Customs Department) and Police of Ha Tinh province in arresting Vangchueyang Briachear, residing in Vang Ban village, Xay Cham Phon district, Bo Ly Kham Xay province, Laos who transported 278 kg of synthetic drugs and oneHyundai car with the license plate No. UN-2645.

On June 5, Cau Treo International Border Gate Customs Branch arrested a suspect who transported 40,000 tablets of synthetic drugs hidden in two wooden flower vases.

Cau Treo Customs coordinated with Border Guard in arresting Mai Dinh Duong on August 5, 2018. Photo: L.P

According to arepresentative of Steering Committee 389 of Ha Tinh province, although competent forces of Ha Tinh province achieved positive results on prevention and anti- drugs, drug crime activities at border gates and sea routes arestill complicated andthe volume of drugs smuggled into the inland is still large, especially, new drugs transported with huge volume tended to increase.

The coordination in arresting new drugsuspects has not really met requirements and tasks. The information exchange has not been prompt and effective. The information is still unspecific, especially, information on crime prosecution, leading to the number of plans on prevention is insignificant.

Therefore, in the future, the Steering Committee 389 of Ha Tinh province will request forces to implement specialised measures to prevent, arrest and handle cases of smuggling and illegal transportation of goods across borders.

The Steering Committee 389 of Ha Tinh province has proposed competent forces to strengthen the fight against smuggling and trade frauds in targeted areas and actively assign forces to be on duty 24/7.