Hanoi Customs on the front line of combating drugs via air route

VCN - Looking at the number of exhibits and drug cases seized by the Hanoi Customs Department in coordination with the competent forces in recent times shows the increasing severity of this type of crime.
hiding drugs in canned drinks (Case HP524)
hiding drugs in canned drinks (Case HP524)

More methods of concealing and transporting drugs

The fight against the trafficking and smuggling of illicit drugs is a hot and fierce battlefront. Along with the development of the global economy and trade, and the trend of globalization, the volume of goods imported and exported and passengers entering and exiting via air has increased rapidly. Drug-related crime have taken advantage of air routes and express delivery services, leading to a rising trend. Hanoi Customs has proactively grasped the situation, promptly establishing special cases and cases to combat the smuggling and trafficking of drugs from abroad into Vietnam. Many transnational drug rings have been busted by Hanoi Customs in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies.

The head of the Anti-drug Enforcement Team (Hanoi Customs) said that from the beginning of the year to July 19, 2024, Hanoi Customs had established 6 special cases; detected and arrested 49 cases, coordinated the arrest of 27 subjects; and seized 732 kg of various drugs. Notably, there were two typical cases, highlighted by Hanoi Customs, which seized the largest number of synthetic drugs ever through air routes.

A typical example is Case HP524. On June 4, 2024, the special case team coordinated to arrest 4 subjects and seized 179 kg of MDMA synthetic drugs. The subjects used the method of hiding drugs in canned drinks that were labeled and packaged like a manufacturer's product, hiring people from other provinces to receive the goods and divide them for transportation to different localities for consumption.

With Case HP724, on July 17, 18, and 19, the special case team coordinated to arrest 5 subjects and seized 116.5 kg of drugs, including 101.8 kg of MDMA and 14.7 kg of ketamine. The subjects hid the drugs in air compressor tanks and wine bags to deceive law enforcement. They hired people to receive the goods, then divided the goods at different points in Hanoi and transferred them to other provinces. When they detected any abnormalities, the subjects were ready to turn off their phones and abandon the goods.

According to the Anti-drug Enforcement Team, in addition to the previous methods, the subjects have now added many new tricks to deceive law enforcement. "Goods are sent from many different European countries before being concentrated for shipment to Vietnam. The packaging used to hide drugs has fake names and addresses that the subjects calculate the journey from abroad to Noi Bai International Airport on weekends, which are days off," said the head of the Anti-drug Enforcement Team.

In addition, they also use technology to control the drug trafficking process. Subjects hire on-demand car services to receive and control through apps, hire people to monitor at the shipping company; use nicknames and hire people to receive on their behalf.... When there are any abnormalities, they abandon the goods and turn off their phones, making it difficult to investigate.

Cooperation in the fight

According to Hanoi Customs, to successfully combat increasingly sophisticated drug-related crimes, the unit has applied many professional measures and frequently changed its combat plans, including collecting domestic and foreign information, especially on acts and concealment methods. The focus is on collecting and evaluating detailed information from domestic and foreign sources, identifying routes, areas, and key targets via air routes. At the same time, applying professional measures and technical means (scanning machines, drug testing machines...) to closely monitor suspicious shipments and subjects... Especially in personnel work, assigning experienced officials to critical stages, inspecting goods at the border gate; regularly coordinating with other forces to warn of new methods.

Drugs were hiden in tank of air compressor (Case HP724)
Drugs were hiden in tank of air compressor (Case HP724)

To combat, and suppress drug-related crimes, according to Hanoi Customs, besides the unit's proactive efforts, coordination is a key factor contributing to the success of the cases. Hanoi Customs has determined that for each case, each drug seizure case is only truly successful when the drug evidence and the subject are discovered and arrested. Accordingly, in these cases, Hanoi Customs has promptly and actively coordinated with the local law enforcement agencies, especially with the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department, the General Department of Vietnam Customs; the specialized forces of the Ministry of Public Security, Hanoi City Police and the police of provinces and cities to resolutely fight and arrest many cases of illegal transportation of drugs.

In particular, after each case, Hanoi Customs promptly reviews the experience to further improve the effectiveness of preventing drug-related crimes via air and express delivery.

By Ngọc Linh/Thanh Thuy

Related News

Quang Tri Customs collaborates to arrest suspect transporting 18,000 synthetic drug pills

Quang Tri Customs collaborates to arrest suspect transporting 18,000 synthetic drug pills

VCN - The Customs Enforcement Team of Quang Tri Customs Department, in coordination with other agencies, recently apprehended a Laotian national for smuggling 18,000 synthetic drug pills into Vietnam.
Ha Tinh Customs collaborates to apprehend suspect transporting 4kg of methamphetamine

Ha Tinh Customs collaborates to apprehend suspect transporting 4kg of methamphetamine

VCN - According to the Ha Tinh Customs Department, the unit recently collaborated with the Police and Border Guard forces to detect and apprehend a suspect involved in transporting 4 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Hanoi Customs resolves tax policy queries for enterprises

Hanoi Customs resolves tax policy queries for enterprises

VCN - Queries regarding customs consultation procedures and tax refunds due to price reduction clauses were addressed by the Hanoi Customs Department, providing clarity for businesses.
Hanoi Customs partners with businesses to boost import-export activities

Hanoi Customs partners with businesses to boost import-export activities

VCN - After a decade of fostering customs-business partnerships, Hanoi Customs Department has developed three collaborative models: Customs-Business Partnership, Customs-Import and Export Service Provider, and Customs-Business Association.

Latest News

At the end of the year, there is concern of counterfeit and smuggled goods entering into Ho Chi Minh City

At the end of the year, there is concern of counterfeit and smuggled goods entering into Ho Chi Minh City

VCN - Ho Chi Minh City is implementing many solutions to prevent smuggled and counterfeit goods from entering the market at the end of the year.
Rise in e-commerce violations sparks concern

Rise in e-commerce violations sparks concern

VCN - The increasing sophistication of violations in e-commerce operations is presenting significant challenges for regulatory agencies, with offenders employing advanced tactics to evade detection.
Lang Son intensifies crackdown on smuggling and trade fraud

Lang Son intensifies crackdown on smuggling and trade fraud

VCN - The end of the year marks a period of heightened smuggling and trade fraud activities along the Lang Son provincial border. In response, local enforcement agencies have ramped up inspections and controls to detect and prevent tax evasion, counterfeit goods, and smuggling operations.
Numerous FDI enterprises face suspension of customs procedures due to tax debt

Numerous FDI enterprises face suspension of customs procedures due to tax debt

VCN - Several foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises in HCM City have been subjected to coercive measures, including the suspension of customs procedures, for overdue import-export and domestic tax liabilities.

More News

Concerns over counterfeit goods in e-commerce and express delivery

Concerns over counterfeit goods in e-commerce and express delivery

VCN - The proliferation of counterfeit goods and intellectual property (IP) violations in e-commerce has become a significant challenge for businesses and authorities alike. This issue was highlighted at the seminar titled "Enhancing Cooperation to Combat Smuggling, Counterfeiting, and IP Violations," organized by Customs Magazine last weekend in Ho Chi Minh City.
Illegal transport of currency and gold tends to increase near Lunar New Year

Illegal transport of currency and gold tends to increase near Lunar New Year

VCN - The smuggling, trade fraud and illegal transportation of goods across the border has become complicated, especially illegal transport of currency and gold.
Smuggling forecast for the Lunar New Year 2025  will be complicated

Smuggling forecast for the Lunar New Year 2025 will be complicated

VCN - This is the assessment made by the Steering Committee 389 of the Ministry of Finance during the peak of the fight against smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods before, during and after the Lunar New Year 2025.
Tax authorities crack down on invoice fraud to legalize smuggled goods

Tax authorities crack down on invoice fraud to legalize smuggled goods

VCN - As part of efforts to combat smuggling and trade fraud during the Lunar New Year season, the Steering Committee 389 of the Ministry of Finance has instructed the General Department of Taxation to intensify enforcement against illegal practices involving fraudulent invoices and tax evasion.
Share experiences in crime prevention coordination between Customs and Police

Share experiences in crime prevention coordination between Customs and Police

VCN - On December 6, 2024, the General Department of Customs and the People's Police Academy co-organized the scientific workshop "Improving the effectiveness of coordination between the People's Police force and the Customs force in the fight against smuggling, trade fraud, and drugs at border gates and border areas in the new situation".
Challenges in preventing counterfeit goods and intellectual property violations in e-commerce

Challenges in preventing counterfeit goods and intellectual property violations in e-commerce

VCN - The open sale of counterfeit goods, items with unclear origins, and intellectual property (IP) infringing products on e-commerce websites has become a growing trend.
Customs sector strengthens anti-smuggling during Lunar New Year

Customs sector strengthens anti-smuggling during Lunar New Year

VCN – Smuggling and trade fraud activities are forecast to take place more complicated on routes, areas and cyberspace due to high consumer demand during the Lunar New Year.
Counterfeit and intellectual property infringing goods are becoming more sophisticated

Counterfeit and intellectual property infringing goods are becoming more sophisticated

VCN - In recent times, several containers of counterfeit goods imitating well-known brands and violating intellectual property (IP) rights have been intercepted by Customs authorities at border checkpoints. In an interview with Customs Magazine, Vu Hoai Linh, Deputy Head of Intellectual Property Rights Protection Enforcement Unit (Unit 4) under the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department, shared critical solutions to combat and prevent these violations.
Mong Cai: Smuggling concerns amid sluggish business activities

Mong Cai: Smuggling concerns amid sluggish business activities

VCN - Amid a noticeable slowdown in business activities, the Customs Enforcement Units of the Quang Ninh Customs Department in Mong Cai City are stepping up their efforts to combat smuggling, ensuring the area does not become a hotspot for illicit trade.
Read More

Your care

Latest Most read
At the end of the year, there is concern of counterfeit and smuggled goods entering into Ho Chi Minh City

At the end of the year, there is concern of counterfeit and smuggled goods entering into Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is implementing many solutions to prevent smuggled and counterfeit goods from entering the market at the end of the year.
Rise in e-commerce violations sparks concern

Rise in e-commerce violations sparks concern

The increasing sophistication of violations in e-commerce operations is presenting significant challenges for regulatory agencies, with offenders employing advanced tactics to evade detection.
Lang Son intensifies crackdown on smuggling and trade fraud

Lang Son intensifies crackdown on smuggling and trade fraud

The end of the year marks a period of heightened smuggling and trade fraud activities along the Lang Son provincial border. In response, local enforcement agencies have ramped up inspections and controls to detect and prevent tax evasion, counterfeit good
Numerous FDI enterprises face suspension of customs procedures due to tax debt

Numerous FDI enterprises face suspension of customs procedures due to tax debt

Several foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises in HCM City have been subjected to coercive measures, including the suspension of customs procedures, for overdue import-export and domestic tax liabilities.
Concerns over counterfeit goods in e-commerce and express delivery

Concerns over counterfeit goods in e-commerce and express delivery

The proliferation of counterfeit goods and intellectual property (IP) violations in e-commerce has become a significant challenge for businesses and authorities alike.
Mobile Version