Combating smuggling and illegal transportation of fireworks across Cau Treo International Border Gate

	Customs strengthens fight against smuggling and illegal transportation of firecrackers
	Strengthen the fight against fireworks-related violations

Le Huu Lam (standing in the middle) with evidence when he was arrested by authorities on January 8, 2024.

Smugglers and illegal transporters of firecrackers have used vehicles and remodeled compartments to hide firecrackers to outsmart detection of law enforcement authorities.

Sophisticated tricks

According to the forecast, smugglers and illegal transporters of firecrackers from abroad to Vietnam earlier than usual every year to outsmart inspection, and control by enforcement forces when implementing the peak plan on combating smuggling, trade fraud before, during and after Lunar New Year 2024.

Cau Treo International Border Gate area is identified as a transit are and hot spot for smuggling and illegal transportation of firecrackers, so the enforcement forces have strengthened control, especially before, during and after the Lunar New Year.

With strict control and supervision and effective cooperation, Ha Tinh Customs, Police and Border Guard forces have coordinated to detect and arrest many cases and suspects related to the transportation of smuggled and banned goods across border gate.

Notably, at about 8:00 p.m. on January 8, at km 83, National Highway 8A, in Ha Trai village, Son Kim 1 commune, Huong Son district (Ha Tinh), Cau Treo International Border Gate Customs Branch and Anti-Drug Enforcement Team collaborated with Cau Treo International Border Guard, Huong Son District Police … to inspect a passenger car with a Lao license plate operated by driver Le Huu Lam, 46, residing in Quang Diem commune, Huong Son district, entering the country from Laos to Vietnam with suspicious signs.

Through inspection, the enforcement forces detected 500 bullets, 32 boxes of 9-piece fireworks and 29 boxes of 36-piece fireworks, weighing about 95 kg. Initially, driver Le Huu Lam admitted that he brought the fireworks from Vientiane and transported to Vietnam for use, and he was hired by an unidentified man to transport 500 bullets from Vientiane to Ha Tinh.

Earlier, on November 30, at km 83 National Highway 8A, in Son Kim 1 Commune, Huong Son district, Ha Tinh province, Cau Treo International Border Gate Customs Branch coordinated with Cau Treo International Border Guard Station and Department of Drug Control and Crime Prevention detected Vo Trong Dung, 33, residing in Hung Tien commune, Nam Dan district, Nghe An province, driving a tractor-trailer with license plate 37H-05334 and trailer with license plate 37R-04595 transporting 48 boxes of fireworks, weighing 60 kg. Dung said that he bought the firecrackers worth VND10 million at Lak Xao market (Laos) and transported to Vietnam for consumption.

The seizures were two of smuggling cases destroyed by the law enforcement forces in the days near the Lunar New Year at Cau Treo International Border Gate.

According to assessments, some subjects moving across the border gate still have signs of transporting drugs, firecrackers, and remodeling cargo compartment of vehicles to hide banned goods, and taking advantage of terrain to transport drugs across the forest.

Recently, the law enforcement forces have strengthened coordination in patrolling and controlling border areas to promptly prevent smuggling and trade fraud across borders. From the beginning of the year until now, the local forces have seized 222.1 kg of firecrackers, 203 boxes of fireworks and many other goods.

Actively prevent violations

Manager of Cau Treo International Border Gate Customs Branch Le Minh Duc said that before, during and after the Lunar New Year, the trafficking of banned goods across the border tends to increase and sees complicated development. The department has grasped situation and mobilized resources to drastically prevent crimes.

The branch has strengthened cooperation with the Border Guard and Police to combat crimes related to transporting prohibited goods, especially items such as firecrackers and drugs, Manager Le Minh Duc said.

Deputy Director of Ha Tinh Customs Department Nguyen Dinh Long said that due to the location adjacent to Laos, rugged mountainous terrain, and no population, Cau Treo International Border Gate is a targeting area for smuggling. Many traffickers take advantage the situation to transport banned goods on days near the Lunar New Year.

Responding to this situation, the branch issued a peak plan to fight against smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods. Along with strengthening inspection and supervision for shipments transferred border gate and seaport, temporary import, re-export, and transit, especially prohibited items such as firecrackers. The Customs will regularly exchange information and proactively coordinate with other local forces to tackle violations.