Mastermind of smuggling ring appears in court

VCN - Abusing the understanding of the State’s legal policies on the import of used machinery and equipment, a former police officer has colluded with other individuals to establish 45 companies and a large-scale used machinery and equipment smuggling ring.
Smuggling ring trading ivory and pangolin scales worth VND300 billion arrested Smuggling ring trading ivory and pangolin scales worth VND300 billion arrested
Mastermind of smuggling ring appears in court
Hoang Duy Tien - the leader of the smuggling ring

Making false Certificate of Inspection

On May 25, the People's Court of HCM City opened a first-instance trial to judge Hoang Duy Tien, 38, residing in Binh Tan district and 25 accomplices involved in smuggling used machinery and equipment. The trial is expected to take place until May 31.

According to the indictment announced in court, Hoang Duy Tien (former officer of Team 7, Economic Police Division of HCM City Police) knew individuals who are owners of used machinery and equipment (referred to as goods owners) and these owners need to find a person who can import the items for domestic consumption.

Tien also understands the customs regulations and the Prime Minister's Decision No. 18/2019/QD/TTg dated April 19, 2019 (Decision 18) allowing the import of used machinery and equipment for the enterprise's production.

Therefore, Hoang Duy Tien agreed with goods owners to import used items through companies established by him by falsely declaring them as imported goods for production. Tien delivered the goods to the owners of the goods.

Depending on the time, the owners of the goods paid VND78 million - VND 90 million/container for Tien. Tien paid taxes, transport costs for shipping the goods to the warehouse, and expenses for the inspection company. Tien hired some individuals to help him establish companies, make import dossiers and implement customs procedures, and pay expenses transactions for related activities.

According to the regulations on import conditions under Decision 18, imported goods such as used equipment and machinery have been produced for at most 10 years. However, most goods owners have imported products manufactured for more than 10 years to get lower prices and more profit when selling the products in Vietnam. Therefore, Tien requested his staff to revise the production year of the goods of less than 10 years to be eligible for import.

To reduce tax payable, Tien directed his staff to declare the value of imported goods much lower than the actual value. According to regulations, enterprises are allowed to bring used machinery and equipment to the warehouse for storage, and wait for the inspection result to be permitted for customs clearance. Tien instructed staff to transfer the goods to the owners for consumption without the assessment result after receiving the goods at the port.

To complete import procedures, Hoang Duy Tien agreed with Dai Minh Viet Inspection Joint Stock Company to issue a false Certificate of Inspection for cargo containers with a price of VND2.8 - 3.2 million/certificate depending on the time.

Mastermind of smuggling ring appears in court
The defendants in court

Smuggling 1,287 containers of used machinery and equipment

On May 24, 2021, Hoang Duy Tien and his employees used legal entities of three companies established by him (including Dai Loi, Hoang Kim, and Gia Cat Thanh companies) to open seven customs declarations, carried out procedures for illegally importing a large number of used machinery and equipment in seven containers, and declared the purpose for production.

In fact, he was hired to import these goods by the owners of the goods in Vietnam.

The Economic Police Division - HCM City Police coordinated with the 1st Zone Saigon Port Customs Branch to suspend the customs clearance procedures for the containers to inspect, make records, seize the goods and transfer the case to the Investigation Police Department of the city for investigation.

The indictment showed that this was a smuggling case intentionally carried out by Hoang Duy Tien and his accomplices. For a long time, Tien and 25 accomplices have smuggled large volumes of used machinery and equipment from abroad to Vietnam.

Although he knows that Decision No. 18 strictly regulates the import of used machinery, equipment and technology transfer lines into Vietnam, he still connects with the owners of the goods to illegally import the products from Japan and China into Vietnam for illicit benefits.

To do this, Tien and his employees established 47 companies, then directly used the legal entities of 45 companies to carry out procedures for importing used machinery and equipment. Tien and his accomplices have adjusted all sales contracts, invoices and documents related to shipments of goods to be eligible for import under the regulations in Decision 18.

Then Hoang Duy Tien colluded with Dai Minh Viet Inspection Joint Stock Company to make false records of the goods inspection and issue fake inspection certificates to submit to Customs authorities.

For the accused who are employees of Dai Minh Viet Inspection Joint Stock Company, although they disagreed with Hoang Duy Tien on the import of used machinery and equipment to Vietnam for consumption, the accused as Director, Deputy Director, Head of the Inspection Division and staff understood provisions of Decision 18. However, they still issued illegal reports and certificates for Tien and his employees to legalise the customs clearance documents.

Due to the need to buy and sell used machinery and equipment to make a profit, the owners made agreements with Tien to import smuggled goods to Vietnam and then handed over the goods to the owner for trading and profit. There were no machinery or equipment was imported to serve production and business.

The indictment determined that Hoang Duy Tien was the mastermind. From about September 2019 to May 24, 2021, Tien used the legal status of 45 companies, opened 1,153 customs declarations, and imported 1,287 containers of smuggled goods into Vietnam, with a total value of infringing goods of more than VND217 billion. The act of Hoang Duy Tien and his accomplices is especially dangerous for society, and infringed on the economic management order of the State, so he should be strictly handled under the criminal law.

By Nguyen Hien/Ngoc Loan

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