Cut off the transnational drug crime lines

VCN - Many transnational drug lines were dismantled with an amount of material seized weighing up to hundreds of kilograms, arresting many suspects, which is a prominent mark on the anti-smuggling front of the Customs sector in 2022.
Anti-Smuggling and Investment Department receives international award for environmental enforcement Anti-Smuggling and Investment Department receives international award for environmental enforcement
Seize hundreds of kilograms of drugs in the peak month Seize hundreds of kilograms of drugs in the peak month
Transnational drug crimes on unpredictable air routes Transnational drug crimes on unpredictable air routes
Cut off the transnational drug crime lines
Director General of the General Department of Customs Nguyen Van Can commended individuals and units with achievements in fighting and dismantling drug cases of the Hanoi Customs Department at the Conference on preliminary review of coordination in the fight against drugs in the first 6 months of the year, June 2022. Photo: Ngoc Linh

Capturing the leader of a transnational drug ring

One of the typical cases is Special Project 522Q co-chaired by the Hanoi Customs Department and the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department (C04, Ministry of Public Security), in collaboration with relevant local police agencies in May 2022.

Although more than half a year has passed, every time the case is mentioned, the officers and soldiers of the Customs and Police have not forgotten the thrilling details related to the case.

Through investigation, the functional forces discovered a line of illegal drug trafficking and transportation from Germany to Vietnam for consumption by Vietnamese people residing in European countries. The suspects are taking advantage of goods transportation activities from logistics enterprises to transport drugs by air or post into Vietnam.

Leading this line is a German overseas Vietnamese named Nguyen Viet Hong Dung (born in 1996, hometown of Quang Binh). Dung has settled in Germany for a long time, has a wife and two children who are also living in Germany. Initially, when he went to Germany, Dung worked as a chef.

Cut off the transnational drug crime lines
Drugs and exhibits (disguised in the packaging of other common items) in Special Project 522Q.

However, after that, Dung began to participate in transport for drug lines in Germany. Despite his relatively young age, Dung quickly grasped the market as well as the methods and tricks of drug trafficking and established his own line. To recruit "personnel" into the line, Dung entices relatives from the same hometown in Quang Binh or selects them on social networks, depending on each position and task.

In early May 2022, the Special Project Board discovered that Dung had flown back to Vietnam. The functional force said that on this occasion, the subject may return home to operate the drug line, so he planned to closely monitor it.

Notably, although he returned to Quang Binh with his wife and children, the subject rarely stayed at home, but often stayed outside the hotel and went to entertainment venues.

After consolidating documents and evidence, the Special Case Committee decided to implement the plan to solve the case. On May 13, 2022, when Dung returned from the hotel to his parents' house in Quang Binh, the Special Case Committee executed an urgent arrest warrant.

At the same time, functional forces simultaneously arrested related subjects in many localities across the country.

By the end of 2022, the Specialization Committee had arrested 11 people belonging to an organization that transported drugs from Germany to Vietnam for consumption and seized more than 50 kg of synthetic drugs of all kinds.

The above is just one of many typical projects on the anti-drug front that Hanoi Customs Department participated in dismantling. By the end of 2022, Hanoi Customs Department alone presided over and coordinated with forces inside and outside the industry to successfully carry out seven drug projects, seizing 372.7 kg of drugs of all kinds, the largest amount from So far, 39 people have been arrested.

The battle is tough

Together with the Hanoi Customs Department, the year 2022 will record outstanding achievements in fighting drug crimes by the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department and customs departments: Ho Chi Minh City, Dien Bien, Quang Tri, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh. , Hai Phong.

Many victories of units such as the seizure of eight packages of heroin disguised in a shipment chaired by Quang Tri Customs; Hai Phong Customs coordinated to dismantle transnational drug crime lines, seizing more than 30 kg of drugs of all kinds; the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department presided over the establishment of the DT922 project and agreed with the Hanoi Customs Department, the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department, Hanoi police seized 15 kg of drugs transported from Germany to Vietnam.

The above results show the close and drastic direction of the leaders of the General Department of Customs along with the increasing level and capacity to fight drug crimes. Because, not only have they successfully dismantled many transnational drug crime lines, and seized drugs weighing up to dozens, even hundreds of kilograms, many special projects led by Customs forces have successfully arrested the masterminds and leaders, which was rarely seen in previous years.

But on the other hand, the situation of drug crimes in the area of customs operations is increasingly complicated. In particular, air routes, express delivery, illegal trading and transportation of narcotics tend to increase in size, quantity and complexity.

At the Conference on mastering and exchanging professional experience in preventing and combating smuggling in the customs field (organized by the General Department of Customs in Ho Chi Minh City on November 9, 10, 2022), the Director General of the General Department of Customs Nguyen Van Can requested the whole industry to continue to thoroughly implement the direction of the leaders of the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Finance in the fight against drugs, seizure of material evidence and application of professional measures to identify, to arrest the subject in order to completely destroy the illegal trafficking and transportation of narcotics, identifying this as one of the key tasks assigned to the Customs by the Party and State and specified in detail in relevant legal documents.

From the cases shared by the forces, it is necessary to evaluate, summarize and draw lessons learned, on how to guide cadres and civil servants in the process of performing official duties, especially dealing with the coordination relationship between Customs and other forces (Police, Border Guard) in the process of coordinating the implementation of special cases, ensuring information related to illegal trading and transportation of illegal substances. Drugs must be handled promptly, confidentially and closely from the beginning to the end of the case.

By Thai Binh/ Huu Tuc

Related News

An Giang Customs Department escalates multiple tax fraud cases to law enforcement

An Giang Customs Department escalates multiple tax fraud cases to law enforcement

VCN - Many cases of customs law violations and tax fraud discovered by An Giang Customs Department have been transferred to the police for investigation according to their authority.
Customs crackdown nets 1,430 violations in first month

Customs crackdown nets 1,430 violations in first month

VCN - In January 2025, the number of violations detected, seized, and processed by customs authorities increased by 9.6%, and the value of the illicit goods involved increased by 19.4% compared to the same period in 2024.
3,500 customs declarations handled in Lang Son over Tet

3,500 customs declarations handled in Lang Son over Tet

VCN - During the 2025 Lunar New Year (Year of the Snake), Lang Son Customs Department processed nearly 3,500 customs declarations valued at over US$306 million.
An Giang Customs strictly controls goods moving across the border

An Giang Customs strictly controls goods moving across the border

VCN- An Giang Customs Department implements imports and exports smoothly, strictly controls smuggling and illegal transportation of goods across the border, and arrests cases.

Latest News

Customs administrations coordinate to seize nearly 20,000 endangered wildlife

Customs administrations coordinate to seize nearly 20,000 endangered wildlife

VCN – About 20,000 live animals, all endangered or protected species, have been seized in a global operation against wildlife and forestry trafficking networks, jointly coordinated by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and INTERPOL.
Illegal transportation of gemstones by air to handled

Illegal transportation of gemstones by air to handled

VCN – If the luggage of people on exit or entry exceeds the duty-free baggage allowance gone through the customs control area without declaring to customs are considered illegal exports and imports and will be handled under the provisions of law.
Strictly handling illegal transportation of gemstones by air

Strictly handling illegal transportation of gemstones by air

VCN – Any commodity carried by inbound, outbound persons which exceeds the duty-free limit but still goes through the customs checkpoint without completing the customs declaration shall be considered as illegal imports or exports and shall be handled in accordance with the laws.
Nearly 18,000 cases of smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods detected

Nearly 18,000 cases of smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods detected

The total estimated value of confiscated goods exceeded VNĐ31.35 trillion (US$1.23 billion), marking a 12.5 per cent increase in cases and a 151.3 per cent surge in the value compared to the previous year.

More News

Customs seizes smuggled goods and infringing products worth VND31,000 billion

Customs seizes smuggled goods and infringing products worth VND31,000 billion

VCN – Smugglers have taken advantage business models on e-commerce platforms, social networks, and postal and express delivery activities to use sophisticated tricks for smuggling and trafficking counterfeit goods.
India launches anti-dumping investigation on nylon yarn imports from Việt Nam

India launches anti-dumping investigation on nylon yarn imports from Việt Nam

The Trade Remedies Authority of Việt Nam recommends businesses involved in the production of the goods carefully review the investigation notice and comply with Indian authorities.
Hanoi Customs: 92% of post-clearance audits reveal violations

Hanoi Customs: 92% of post-clearance audits reveal violations

VCN - According to Hanoi Customs, this year’s post-clearance audit plans focus on high-risk areas with signs of violations.
Noi Bai International Border Gate Customs Sub-department: "Blocking" drugs via air

Noi Bai International Border Gate Customs Sub-department: "Blocking" drugs via air

VCN - Along with the recovery and growth of passenger and cargo flights, illegal drug transportation by air is on the rise with increasingly sophisticated and complex tricks and constantly changing methods of operation to deceive Customs and other authorities.
Drug Crime Investigation Police Force cracks down on nearly 29,000 cases

Drug Crime Investigation Police Force cracks down on nearly 29,000 cases

VCN - This is the result of the fight against drug crimes, recently reported by the Department of Drug Crime Investigation (C04, Ministry of Public Security).
Hai Phong Customs busts illegal import of 600 m3 of precious wood

Hai Phong Customs busts illegal import of 600 m3 of precious wood

VCN – About 600 m3 of illegally imported African teak wood, with an estimated total value of tens of billions of VND, has been seized by Hai Phong Customs Department.
Hai Phong Customs seizes a container of banned goods at port

Hai Phong Customs seizes a container of banned goods at port

VCN – Hai Phong Customs Department in coordination with relevant enforcement authorities has seized a container of used air conditioners subject to the list of prohibited imports.
Nghe An busts drug trafficking ring via aviation

Nghe An busts drug trafficking ring via aviation

VCN – December 25, Dien Chau District Police prosecuted Le Tien Duc, born in 2003, residing in Quynh Tan Commune, Quynh Luu District, for illegally transporting 2 kg of drugs.
Violations via e-commerce in HCM City  surges

Violations via e-commerce in HCM City surges

VCN - In 2024, HCM city Market Surveillance Department inspected and handled 379 violations of e-commerce, an increase of 392.2%; the value of violated goods was more than VND 8.6 billion, an increase of 1,128.57% compared to the previous year.
Read More

Your care

Latest Most read
An Giang Customs Department escalates multiple tax fraud cases to law enforcement

An Giang Customs Department escalates multiple tax fraud cases to law enforcement

Many cases of customs law violations and tax fraud discovered by An Giang Customs Department have been transferred to the police for investigation according to their authority.
Customs crackdown nets 1,430 violations in first month

Customs crackdown nets 1,430 violations in first month

In January 2025, the number of violations detected, seized, and processed by customs authorities increased by 9.6%, and the value of the illicit goods involved increased by 19.4%
Customs administrations coordinate to seize nearly 20,000 endangered wildlife

Customs administrations coordinate to seize nearly 20,000 endangered wildlife

VCN - According to the WCO, the General Department of Vietnam Customs, Operation Thunder 2024 aims to combat criminal networks involved in illegal trafficking of wildlife and forestry products.
An Giang Customs strictly controls goods moving across the border

An Giang Customs strictly controls goods moving across the border

VCN - According to An Giang Customs Department, during the Lunar New Year holiday, the department has arranged leaders, civil servants and employees to work and effectively handled all arising situations and smoothly processed customs procedures, and prev
Remodel cars to hide drugs

Remodel cars to hide drugs

VCN - Through the fight against drugs, Quang Tri Customs Enforcement force recognized that the drug-related crimes have taken place sophicicatedly.
Mobile Version