Customs and Police coordinate effectively and have no tolerance for drug crimes

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Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phoc highly appreciated the coordination in the fight against drugs between the two forces.

Attending the conference were Major General, Director of the Drug-Related Crime Investigating Police Department (Ministry of Public Security) Nguyen Van Vien; Director General of the General Department of Customs Nguyen Van Can and representatives of some units of the two forces.

At the conference, the two forces commented that in recent times, the drug situation has been very complicated globally, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic was under control. Complexity occurs on all lines; both in trading activities, transportation and organization of use; both traditional methods, as well as in cyberspace, the express delivery field, etc.

Many cases are unprecedented with an exceptional amount of evidence seized. In particular, cooperation activities between domestic and foreign forces recorded very positive results.

Director of Hanoi Customs Department Duong Phu Dong said that in the management area of Hanoi City Customs Department, from 2021 until now, the situation of illegal trading and transportation of narcotics by air has become very complicated. Criminals take advantage of the reform, modernization and facilitation policy to illegally trade and transport narcotics with an increasing trend in both nature and level, especially goods passing through Noi Bai international airport, customs clearance points, extended air cargo warehouses, express delivery warehouses. In particular, in 2023 the above situation is likely to increase, the subjects are not only in Hanoi but also operating in many provinces and cities nationwide (HCMC, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Da Nang, Quang Binh , Hai Phong, Nam Dinh, etc).

Faced with the complex and increasing situation of illegal trading and transportation of narcotics by air, Hanoi Customs Department has developed specialized projects, collected information, analyzed and selected risky subjects to screen goods and coordinate closely with the functional forces of the Ministry of Public Security to continuously detect, fight, arrest, and destroy many illegal drug transport lines via the air lines, express delivery and post from European countries such as the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Netherlands, etc to Vietnam to consume and seize a large amount of drugs.

Statistics from the Hanoi Customs Department show that in the 3 years from 2021 to 2023, 19 specialized cases were detected, arrested, and handled. Of these, 138 cases (the Customs agency discovered through screening and professional inspection measures: 124 cases, the Police agency provided information: 14 cases), of which a number of cases were arrested and handled: 115 cases; Number of outstanding cases and number of cases being processed: 23 cases. Coordinated arrest: 93 subjects.

The total number of drug exhibits seized and processed is more than 1.7 tons of all types of drugs (nearly 1.36 tons of drugs seized, more than 347 kg of drugs in stock and being processed).

At the conference, representatives of Police and Customs units shared information about the fight against drug crimes, proposed solutions and promoted coordination, as well as investing equipment for anti-drug forces.

Deputy Minister of Public Security affirmed his zero-tolerance stance towards drug crimes.

Speaking at the conference, Lieutenant General and Deputy Minister of Public Security Nguyen Duy Ngoc praised the achievements of the two police and customs forces in the fight against drugs. The results of the struggle and international cooperation in the fight against drugs have been effective. That is proven through specialized projects carried out in recent times.

The Deputy Minister of Public Security also affirmed his zero-tolerance stance towards drug crimes, with the goal of not letting criminals turn Vietnam into a common area for drug trafficking between countries around the world. The units continue to promote coordination, share experiences, and coordinate more closely in the coming time.

Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phoc also appreciated the effective coordination between the two forces of Police and Customs that achieved great results. The Minister emphasized that the fight against drugs is extremely important, vital, dangerous and very difficult. Regarding the issue of perfecting the law, it is necessary to individualize the responsibilities of express delivery companies and make information of senders and recipients transparent for fastest investigation; tighten risk management of the Customs sector, be alert to businesses that violate, etc.

Many groups and individuals of the Hanoi Customs Department were awarded First, Second, and Third Class Victory Medals for their achievements in drug prevention and combat in recent times.

To improve the effectiveness of the struggle in the coming time, the leaders of the two Ministries must unite in the spirit of solving "demand" and destroying "supply". Coordination between functional forces needs to be further strengthened, striving to no longer have gaps in both the law and between fighting forces. At the same time, deploy solutions synchronously, mobilizing party committees, authorities, and heads of all levels to participate together, bringing maximum efficiency.

The conference also organized the awarding of First, Second and Third Class Victory Medals to groups and individuals who have made many achievements in drug prevention and combat recently.