Drug crimes on the Northwest border are increasing

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Evidence of 60,000 synthetic drug pills jointly seized by Dien Bien Customs force in October 2023.

Drug criminals transport large quantities and recklessly

Dien Bien Customs Department is assigned to state management of customs in the three provinces of Dien Bien, Lai Chau, and Son La. With mountainous characteristics and difficult transportation, the areas managed by the unit adjacent to localities in Laos and China all have slow economic development, so import and export goods do not arise much, so smuggling activities and illegal transportation of goods across the border rarely occur. However, illegal trading and transportation of narcotics across the border is still extremely complicated, especially at the Vietnam-Laos border. Key areas within the customs control area such as border gates: Tay Trang, Huoi Puoc (Dien Bien); Border gates: Long Sap, Chieng Khuong (Son La) and Ma Lu Thang border gate, Po To open road (Lai Chau).

In the past 5 years, Dien Bien Customs Department has directed its under and directly under units to coordinate well in patrolling, controlling and arresting 250 cases/330 subjects of illegal trading and transportation of narcotics. The number of cases, the number of subjects and exhibits discovered next year are all higher than the previous year. It is worth mentioning that in 2022, the number of cases/number of detected drug offenders increased by 2 times compared to 2018.

Specifically, in 2018, the unit coordinated to arrest 19 cases/26 subjects regarding illegal trading and transportation of narcotics, seizing 36,488 synthetic drug pills, 533 grams of opium, 19,649.08 grams of heroin and 1,200 grams of meth, etc. In 2019, the unit coordinated to detect and handle 37 cases/50 subjects, seizing 16,435 grams of heroin; 130,173 synthetic drug pills; 10,795 grams of opium; 54,000 grams of meth, 20 motorbikes, 32 cell phones, 1 homemade gun that shoots sports bullets, 6 sports bullets and 1 AK bullet, etc.

By 2022, the unit coordinated to discover and handle 58 cases/76 subjects, seizing 134,340,197 grams of heroin; 1,822,675 synthetic drug pills; 10,000 grams of opium; 14,000 grams of methamphetamine; 20 kg of firecrackers, 29 motorbikes, 34 mobile phones.

Through the struggle, the specialized drug prevention and combat force of Dien Bien Customs realized that the key goods are still heroin, opium, and synthetic drugs. The subjects masterminded and led the hidden operation to find sources of goods, provide finance and hire people to illegally transport drugs across the border. In the majority of cases discovered by the authorities, the subjects are often transporters who hire and deliver goods for consumption. In order to transfer goods across the border successfully, suspects often transport drugs in large quantities, are very reckless and are equipped with hot weapons, ready to fight back against the forces on duty when surrounded and arrested. This is a big challenge for the judgment force.

Focus on creating joint operations

Talking to reporters, Deputy Head of the Drug Prevention and Control Team (Dien Bien Customs Department) Nguyen Thi Khuyen predicted that in the coming time, drug crime activities will occur in areas directly managed by the unit. Therefore, in order to deal with aggressive and cunning criminals, the specialized drug prevention and combat force needs to seriously deploy the instructions and guidance documents of all levels; Political and ideological education for officials and civil servants in the unit to clearly understand their roles and responsibilities in performing tasks. At the same time, maintain regular exchange of information with functional forces in the management area, directly participating in successfully destroying drug-related cases and operations; Strengthen international cooperation with the Customs of neighboring countries in exchanging information to serve the work of drug prevention and control.

Specifically, the Customs force proactively grasps the situation and organizes an effective fight against drug crimes; Strengthen customs patrols at the border gate area, customs control areas, key roads, and trails on both sides of the border gate, preventing violations of illegal trade and transportation of drugs across the border. Along with that, detecting new methods and tricks which were taken advantage of in export, import, exit and entry activities to illegally hide and transport narcotics.

“To further improve the effectiveness of coordination, the drug prevention and control forces of the Police, Customs and Border Guards need to continue to exchange information on coordination and professional consultation when necessary, focusing on establishing common operations, conducting summaries and drawing experiences from operations and cases. Simultaneously, develop new plans and tactics to avoid casualties for officers and soldiers directly involved in fighting and arresting criminals," shared the leader of the Drug Prevention and Control Team.

From the beginning of 2023 to October 15, 2023, units under and directly under Dien Bien Customs Department coordinated with the Border Guard and Police to detect and handle 41 cases/52 subjects, seizing 64,680.38 grams of heroin; 346,055 synthetic drug pills; 2,800 grams of opium: 21,000 grams of meth, 25 motorbikes, 36 cell phones, etc.