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

Dinh Ba Customs cooperates to arrest a subject carrying more than 4 kg of drugs swimming from Cambodia to Vietnam

Dinh Ba Customs cooperates to arrest a subject carrying more than 4 kg of drugs swimming from Cambodia to Vietnam

VCN - A subject carrying more than 4 kg of drugs swimming from Cambodia to Vietnam was arrested by the Dong Thap Border Guard in coordination with Tan Hong District Police and Dinh Ba International Border Gate Customs Branch.
Noi Bai Customs consecutive detection of 2 cases of foreigners hiding metals suspected to be gold

Noi Bai Customs consecutive detection of 2 cases of foreigners hiding metals suspected to be gold

VCN - In just one day, the Noi Bai International Airport Customs Branch (Hanoi Customs Department) has consecutively detected 2 cases of foreign visitors hiding gold bars on their bodies, with a total weight of 3kg for each case.
Nghe An: Achieve effectiveness in coordinating to prevent drugs and prohibited goods

Nghe An: Achieve effectiveness in coordinating to prevent drugs and prohibited goods

VCN - Coordination in the fight against drug crimes is one of the outstanding results in the 5 years of implementing the coordination regulations between Nghe An Customs Department and Nghe An Border Guard Command (according to Regulation No. 3929/QC-BĐBP-TCHQ dated September 4, 2019 between the Border Guard Command and the General Department of Vietnam Customs).
Tan Son Nhat International Airport Customs: Stop many cases of sophisticated drug trafficking

Tan Son Nhat International Airport Customs: Stop many cases of sophisticated drug trafficking

VCN - Since the beginning of 2024, many cases of illegal drug transportation with very sophisticated tricks have been detected and promptly prevented by the Tan Son Nhat International Airport Customs Branch, seizing nearly 20 kg of various drugs.

Latest News

Ho Chi Minh City: Tightening management of trading of toxic chemicals

Ho Chi Minh City: Tightening management of trading of toxic chemicals

VCN - Many cyanide poisoning cases have occurred in the recent time. However, toxic chemicals, including cyanide, are still openly sold on the market and on social networks. Ho Chi Minh City authorities have simultaneously inspected many chemical-related businesses in District 5 and discovered many violations.
Risk of cigarette smuggling outbreak in Southwestern border in flood season

Risk of cigarette smuggling outbreak in Southwestern border in flood season

VCN - The volume of goods smuggled across the border in some southwestern border provinces has tended to increase, especially cigarettes originating from Cambodia, which are breaking out with sophisticated transportation methods.
Over half a ton of firecrackers intercepted at Cha Lo border gate

Over half a ton of firecrackers intercepted at Cha Lo border gate

VCN - Quang Binh Customs recently coordinated an inspection and discovered that a tractor-trailer truck entering Vietnam from Laos was hiding 556.3 kg of firecrackers.
Criminals take advantage of establishing enterprises to illegally produce and transport drugs

Criminals take advantage of establishing enterprises to illegally produce and transport drugs

VCN - Drug crime activities remain extremely complicated, especially the method of taking advantage of establishing enterprises in Vietnam to transport vehicles, equipment, raw materials, rent warehouses, etc to serve illegal production and transportation of drugs from abroad into Vietnam and continue to send them to third countries for consumption.

More News

Preventing drugs in Northwest border

Preventing drugs in Northwest border

VCN - The drug crime situation in the Northwest region remains complicated. Among them are especially dangerous wanted criminals hiding in Van Ho district, Son La province, Mai Chau district (Hoa Binh) and Dien Bien district (Dien Bien) who collude with domestic and foreign subjects for drug trafficking from the Golden Triangle area across the border into Vietnam and to third countries for consumption.
The smuggling situation is controlled strictly in An Giang

The smuggling situation is controlled strictly in An Giang

VCN - Managing the area at 5 border gates on the Southwest border, An Giang Customs Department has synchronously deployed effective solutions to combat smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods. Director of An Giang Customs Department Nguyen Thanh Toan shared with Customs Magazine about the situation and the unit's solutions to combat it.
The cooperation between Customs and An Giang Border Defence achieves outstanding results

The cooperation between Customs and An Giang Border Defence achieves outstanding results

VCN - During the 5 years of cooperation, the two forces have coordinated to inspect and control more than 4.5 million vehicles entering and exiting An Giang border gates, detecting 88 case of violations. Thanks to that, security and order in the border area and border gates have been maintained, minimizing violations.
"Caught" 26kg of drugs from clues of subjects that multiple enter and exit

"Caught" 26kg of drugs from clues of subjects that multiple enter and exit

VCN - The coordination, cooperation, information exchange and handling of drug cases between Quang Binh Customs Department and specialized forces for drug crime prevention and control of the Police, Border Guard and Coast Guard were carried out seriously and effectively.
"The Invoice Loophole: A Smuggler

"The Invoice Loophole: A Smuggler's Tool to legitimate smuggled sugar

VCN - Through various methods such as using recycled invoices, changing packaging, etc., smuggled sugar still infiltrates the domestic market, not only causing state revenue loss but also affecting people and domestic sugar-producing enterprises.
Long An Customs and Border Guard forces coordinate to combat  smuggling cases

Long An Customs and Border Guard forces coordinate to combat smuggling cases

VCN – In five years of implementing the coordination regulations, Long An Customs Department and Long An Border Guard Command have detected 42 cases related to smuggling and illegal transportation of goods across the border, with the value of infringing goods of over VND8.3 billion.
Combat smuggling in sea areas of Hai Phong and Thai Binh

Combat smuggling in sea areas of Hai Phong and Thai Binh

VCN – The Customs and Border Guard forces have coordinated to arrest 10 offences.
An investigation into the maritime accident involving 42 cars has been requested

An investigation into the maritime accident involving 42 cars has been requested

VCN - The company whose goods in the containers fell into the sea of ​​Quang Nam said that the goods were included many electric cars containing lithium batteries, which are toxic chemicals, posing a high risk of endangering the environment, and requested that the authorities investigate the maritime accident.
Drug transportation across border gates becomes increasingly sophisticated

Drug transportation across border gates becomes increasingly sophisticated

VCN – Deputy Head of Anti-drug Enforcement Team under HCM City Customs Department Vo Thanh Hung answered an interview with Customs Magazine about solutions to combat drug crimes of Ho Chi Minh City Customs in the near future.
Read More

Your care

Latest Most read
Ho Chi Minh City: Tightening management of trading of toxic chemicals

Ho Chi Minh City: Tightening management of trading of toxic chemicals

VCN - Many cyanide poisoning cases have occurred in the recent time. However, toxic chemicals, including cyanide, are still openly sold on the market and on social networks. Ho Chi Minh City authorities have simultaneously inspected many chemical-related
Risk of cigarette smuggling outbreak in Southwestern border in flood season

Risk of cigarette smuggling outbreak in Southwestern border in flood season

VCN - According to the assessment of Steering Committee 389 of southwestern border provinces, in the flood season smugglers have gathered smuggled goods, mostly cigarettes, in arears near the border to use vehicles to transport the goods into Vietnam.
Over half a ton of firecrackers intercepted at Cha Lo border gate

Over half a ton of firecrackers intercepted at Cha Lo border gate

Quang Binh Customs recently coordinated an inspection and discovered that a tractor-trailer truck entering Vietnam from Laos was hiding 556.3 kg of firecrackers.
Dinh Ba Customs cooperates to arrest a subject carrying more than 4 kg of drugs swimming from Cambodia to Vietnam

Dinh Ba Customs cooperates to arrest a subject carrying more than 4 kg of drugs swimming from Cambodia to Vietnam

A subject carrying more than 4 kg of drugs swimming from Cambodia to Vietnam was arrested by the Dong Thap Border Guard in coordination with Tan Hong District Police and Dinh Ba Customs Branch.
Noi Bai Customs consecutive detection of 2 cases of foreigners hiding metals suspected to be gold

Noi Bai Customs consecutive detection of 2 cases of foreigners hiding metals suspected to be gold

In just one day, the Noi Bai International Airport Customs Branch (Hanoi Customs Department) has consecutively detected 2 cases of foreign visitors hiding gold bars on their bodies
Mobile Version