Lang Son: Dual effect "both against epidemic and against smuggling"

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The Customs, Border Guards, Market Management and Public Security forces at Tan Thanh border gate seized illegally imported face masks. Photo: Le Dong.

Concentrating on domestic and border control

According to the assessment of Steering Committee 389 Lang Son, commercial and service business activities in January were complicated. But since the end of January, this activity has been gloomy due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic. In particular, the smuggling of goods from across the border through the area has dropped because the relevant forces of both Vietnam and China are tightening the management of immigration activities to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Notably, when the outbreak of Covid-19 started, this area saw a number of cases of smuggling face masks to China.

Talking to reporters from Customs Newspaper, Mr. Nguyen Cong Truong, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Head of the Steering Committee 389 of Lang Son province said that in the past, agencies, units and people have been proactive and have taken active, drastic and effective preventive measures against Covid-19. Before the development of the Covid-19 epidemic, it led to a sudden increase in the needs of people at home and abroad for a number of medical and pharmaceutical products and supplies such as masks, antiseptic solutions and immunosuppressive drugs.

In order to control and stop smuggling, the Provincial Steering Committee 389 has directed the related forces in the province to actively coordinate with the local authorities to prevent, investigate and handle violations. In particular, the Steering Committee 389 Lang Son has implemented many measures to prevent smuggling associated with epidemic prevention – the two solutions are "both anti-epidemic and anti-smuggling".

With drastic measures, according to statistics, in the first two months of the year, relevant forces across the province detected, checked and handled 965 cases, sanctioning administrative violations in 750 cases. The total amount of administrative violations reached over VND 32 billion, with 88 cases prosecuted with 104 subjects.

Note the anti-epidemic group

According to Mr. Nguyen Cong Truong, in order to promptly detect, prevent and strictly handle violations, contributing to the effective prevention of Covid-19, the Provincial People's Committee and the Steering Committee of 389 Lang Son directed the forces. Border guard, Customs, Public Security, Market management and Health care according to functions, duties and areas in charge of strengthening the situation, concentrating forces, means and measures to combat smuggling, trade fraud and fake goods, taking measures to stabilize the market, especially for groups of food, foodstuffs, pharmaceutical products, and medical supplies in service of the prevention of Covid-19.

At the same time, strictly handle violations of speculation, hoarding of goods, violations of price, quality, and production and trading of fake goods, goods of unclear origin and origin for essential goods and disease prevention.

389 Steering Committee of the province has been directing the competent agencies in the locality to maintain the plan of coordination, patrolling and controlling, not to let smuggling and illegal transport of goods, promoting the role and responsibilities of the heads of branches, localities and related units. In addition, the relevant forces at the border gate closely monitor and prevent risks that may spread diseases.

Video: Arrested a man smuggling 6,22 kg rhino horn VCN- The Vietnamese passenger who entered Vietnam delicately hid the rhino horn in his luggage was arrested and arrested by Tan Son Nhat Airport ...

In particular, the People's Committee of Lang Son province also requested the border and customs forces to focus on inspecting and strictly controlling border areas, especially illegal immigration activities, controlling import and export goods, and closely monitoring activities of temporary import for re-export through border gates and openings; supervise the export of facemasks in the spirit of the Government's Resolution No. 20 / ND-CP of February 28, 2020 on the application of export licensing regime for medical masks in the period of prevention and control of Covid-19; strengthening blocking activities on some key trails, regularly reviewing and consolidating fences at some border trails; strengthening the prevention of poultry smuggling through border trails in Van Lang, Cao Loc and Loc Binh areas.