Trafficking by air: more complexity and risk

	155 smuggled iphones by air
	Detecting a case of airguns transportation via Noi Bai International Airport
	Preventing large smuggling cases by air

Smuggled camera via air was seized by the HCMC Customs Department. Photo: T.H

According to the Tan Son Nhat International Airport Customs Branch, the situation of transporting narcotics through the area has occurred regularly in recent years. People transporting drugs are varied and include different social backgrounds, age, nationality, not only Vietnamese but also foreigners who enter and stay in the territory of Vietnam. The operation method has more sophisticated tricks, always changing methods, tricks in order to cause difficulty for the functional forces in the struggle against smuggling.

With those characteristics, leaders of the unit have drastically directed the divisions and professional teams to intensify the inspection and control of suspects carrying narcotics on key-route flights hence the team has detected and arrested many cases in large quantities. On 16^th March 2017, the Customs Enforcement team – HCMC Customs Department in collaboration with Tan Son Nhat International Airport Customs Branch detected and arrested Mr. N.T.V, born in 1971 (lived in Tan District Binh, HCMC) who entered from Hong Kong to HCMC. He carried 61 camera bodies, 75 camera lenses, 61 paper boxes for cameras (all new 100%) inside 6 pieces of luggage. However, he did not do Customs declaration when carrying out procedures for import luggage. The total value of the violation is up to hundreds of millions of vnd.

Not only detecting high-value smuggled goods, Tan Son Nhat International Airport Customs Branch discovered and seized illegally imported weapons. Recently, after discovering a suspected baggage import case, Tan Son Nhat International Airport Customs Branch conducted a physical inspection and discovered 2 pistols that had high risk of causing serious damage, inside personal luggage of entry passengers. Customs authorities identified the owner of that luggage as a male passenger, 42 years old, Vietnamese nationality, on a flight from Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh City.

By the end of 2016, the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City also issued a decision to seize 94 military guns, 472 rounds of ammunition new 100% and spare parts and accessories in the list of prohibited import goods from the Czech Republic to Vietnam. These guns were hidden in the form of conventional commercial packages and found by the Tan Son Nhat International Airport Customs Branch in coordination with the Department of General Economic Security (A85) and the functional forces of The Ministry of Public Security who searched three packages of goods being transported on a flight from Turkey to Tan Son Nhat airport without valid documents. From 2016 to now, Tan Son Nhat International Airport Customs Branch has detected 8 seizures of 13 handguns, 2 air pistols, 25,550 rounds, 1 crossbow and 1 shotgun. 2 spice sprayers and 24 compressors.

Preventing guns and bullets smuggling by airlines VCN- Recently, the Customs Department of Ho Chi Minh City has detected 6 cases of illegal trafficking ...

In the face of the potential for smuggling, apart from the implemented solutions under the established plan, Tan Son Nhat International Airport Customs Branch recently launched a pilot to scan luggage at the Terminal at Tan Son Nhat International Airport. This underground system is designed to handle the luggage and cargo of the passengers and to create ventilation for passengers on entry. In addition, Tan Son Nhat International Airport Customs Branch has also prepared procedures for baggage of passengers entering via underground scanners monitoring suspicious baggage. It contributes to reducing the clearance time, creating a modern and civilized environment but still ensuring the effective fight against smuggling and trade fraud.