Prosecute a case of smuggling relating to importing medicines for Covid-19 treatment

Exhibits in the infringing consignment.

According to the case dossier, on August 17 and August 18, 2021, at a warehouse of Nam Tu Lien district, Hanoi City, Norther Anti-smuggling Enforcement Unit (Anti-smuggling and Investigation Department) chaired and coordinated with North Hanoi Customs Branch (Hanoi Customs Department) to inspect goods of two declarations showing suspected sign.

Goods were transported on the flight from India to Noi Bai International Airport on August 13 to August 15.

From August 13 to August 17, N.Q Company opened two declarations to carry out the import procedure for the above shipment.

According to the customs declaration, the goods are samples and food supplements. In particular, one declaration is opened under the non-commercial type; the other is opened under the type of importation for business and consumption.

However, the inspection showed that the Customs force seized nearly 1,500 boxes of Favipiravir Tablets. This drug to treat Covid-19 has not been licensed for circulation in Vietnam, with a total value of more than VND 2.6 billion.

After the investigation process, on March 9, 2023, the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department leader signed Decision 01/QD-DTCBL to prosecute a criminal case of smuggling that occurred at N.Q Company.

On March 14, 2023, the Supreme People's Procuracy issued Decision 2759/QD-VKSTC-V3 to transfer the above case to the Investigation Police Agency (Nam Dinh Provincial Police) for further investigation following its competence.