Quang Ninh face the high risk of prohibited and smuggled goods

Smuggled cigarettes are a common violated goods items that have been seized by functional forces in Quang Ninh province. In photo: Functional force of Integrated Control Station Km 15-Dan Tien pier (Quang Ninh) inspected the exhibits. Photo: Q.H

Hot spot of banned goods

In the last days of March, we have arrived in Mong Cai city. For many years, this border city has always been a hot spot of smuggling and illegal goods transportation across borders not only in Quang Ninh but also in other areas of the country.

However, at this moment, Mong Cai was less busy in trading goods, along with that, the problem of smuggling also reduced.

Talking to reporters of Customs Newspaper, Mr. Le Quang Tung - Vice-Chairman of the People's Committee of Lang Son province, Head of the Steering Committee 389 Quang Ninh appraised that: It could be said that, at this time, the problem of smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods have been controlled basically. It has been demonstrated by the absence of lines, groups or no more large- scale violations occurred in the area.

However, behind the seemingly quiet situation, Quang Ninh is facing new challenges in this struggle. Mr. Tung shared that: One of the difficulties is the increase in the illegal trade and transportation of prohibited goods, especially narcotics and even military weapons have increased alarmingly recently. Only in 2016, functional forces in Quang Ninh have detected and arrested 529 cases and 865 subjects involved in illegal drug trafficking. Total weight up to 86.81kg of heroin; 60.53 kg of synthetic drugs; 5.04kg of marijuana,… In particular, last year, Quang Ninh has seized 19 guns, 396 rounds of bullets and other exhibits.

Complicated area, thin forces

According to Mr. Le Quang Tung, the local authorities not only faced the sudden increase of prohibited goods as mentioned above, but also they have identified that with natural and social conditions are more complex in Quang Ninh, the work of fighting against trafficking, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods always be promoted and implemented regularly and drastically.

Leaders of People's Committee of Quang Ninh cited that the province has a 250km of coastline with many large islands, yards, landing sites, canals; The road which contiguous to Quang Tay (China) has international road border gates, national border gates, auxiliary border gates, trails, openings and clearance points along the border. On the other hand, National Highway 18A has the length of 338km and passes through 4 provinces. It is considered to be a transit route for illegally imported goods from the border areas of Quang Ninh province to Hai Duong, Bac Ninh and Hanoi,... Therefore, the risk of smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeiting is always high.

Mr. Le Quang Tung said: The area is complex, as well as functional forces, are thin so this is one of the difficulties in inspection and control.

In order to control the situation, People's Committee of Quang Ninh focused on directing departments and members of the Provincial Steering Committee 389 to well coordinate with the Fatherland Front Committee and communication agencies inside and outside the province. In that, promote the work of propaganda, disseminate law along with propagating the work of crime prevention, the new methods and tricks of the subjects. Hence it contributes to gain awareness of the business community and people (especially in a key area, complex, deep-lying, remote, border and island areas) as well as comply with the law, clearly aware of the harm of acts of smuggling, trade frauds, and counterfeit goods.

At the same time, the branches and functional forces must intensify the investigation and research the situation, clearly define the routes, geographical areas, objects, key commodities and new tricks of the subjects so that propose the measures to combat closely with the actual situation in the area; Allocating specific task and performance for functional forces that directly managing the area. Furthermore, to intensify the inspection of administrative and criminal violation, handling, and confiscation of material evidence for the acts of smuggling, trade frauds, counterfeit goods in the areas and routes;

Determined to not let the smuggling, trade frauds, and counterfeit goods activities happen in the area and management fields.

According to Mr. Tung, besides the above solutions, People's Committee of Quang Ninh will actively set up inspection teams and working groups of the Steering Committees 389 to regularly collect information and inspect the smuggling activities on the border and in the sea, timely advising the National Steering Committee 389, the provincial People's Committee to promulgate effective fighting plans, especially it the peak occasions. On the other hand, Quang Ninh will intensify the work of inspection and examination of public duties in order to promptly detect, correct and strictly handle State employees and officials and soldiers who lack responsibility, collude and cover up the subjects of smuggling, illegal transport of goods across the border.