Nearly 2,800 cases of drugs and wildlife seized in Operation Mekong Dragon

VCN - Through Operation Mekong Dragon, Customs administrations of member countries and territories have seized 2,798 drug and wildlife violation cases.
Customs’ Operation Mekong Dragon initiative included in Vietnam-China joint statement Customs’ Operation Mekong Dragon initiative included in Vietnam-China joint statement
22 Customs administrations in Asia-Pacific continue to carry out Operation Mekong Dragon 22 Customs administrations in Asia-Pacific continue to carry out Operation Mekong Dragon
Over 1,000 drug-related violations handled in Operation Mekong Dragon Over 1,000 drug-related violations handled in Operation Mekong Dragon
Director of the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department Nguyen Hung Anh delivers the opening speech.
Director of the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department Nguyen Hung Anh delivers the opening speech.

Effective initiative

On November 23, 2022, Operation Mekong Dragon IV (OMD 4) conference took place in Da Nang, Vietnam, offline and online, with the participation of 36 offline participants and 15 online ones. The conference is held in two days.

The OMD has experienced four phases and achieved great success in terms of the number of participants and the number of seizures and created a certain buzz about coordination activities in the control of wildlife and drug trafficking, and transnational crime in the region.

For OMD IV (launched from April 15, 2022, to September 15, 2022), with the participation of 24 Customs administrations of member countries and territories and five other agencies and organizations, 1,362 cases were seized, including 1,267 drug cases, 17 precursor cases, and 78 wildlife and timber cases.

As a result, the total number of seizures in the four phases rose to 2,798 cases of drugs and wildlife.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Director of the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department (Vietnam Customs) Nguyen Hung Anh said that the above figures are proof of the outstanding efforts of the members, the active coordination of the coordination group, and the practical support of the UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) regional office and the Regional Intelligence Liaison Office for Asia and the Pacific (RILO AP)

For Vietnam Customs, within the framework of participating in the campaign from 2018 to 2022, Vietnam Customs chaired and coordinated with other customs administrations to handle 874 cases of drug smuggling and trafficking, arresting 843 suspects; and handle 113 cases of smuggling and trafficking of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora on the CITES.

"As the number of seizures increases, the more challenges posed to law enforcement agencies of countries are increasing, especially for Customs administrations – the key force in the fight against smuggling and trafficking of drugs as well as wildlife on the front lines of the border. The reality shows that only working together can achieve the highest efficiency", said the Director of the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department of the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

According to Director General Nguyen Hung Anh: During the official visit to China by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong from October 30 to November 1, 2022, the Operation Mekong Dragon campaign was included in Vietnam-China Joint Statement on further promoting and deepening cooperation between the two sides. This shows the importance of the campaign in both bilateral and multilateral cooperation in controlling Vietnam.

The conference in Da Nang
The conference in Da Nang

Proposal to expand the scope of the campaign

The Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department (Vietnam Customs) representative said that this conference is not only to evaluate the achieved results but, more importantly, jointly identify orientations for continued cooperation in the future.

To ensure the effectiveness of cooperation activities after Operation Mekong Dragon IV, Vietnam Customs proposed:

First, consider expanding the scope of the campaign to other relevant regions (such as Africa, Europe, etc.) through an inter-regional cooperation mechanism with the Regional Intelligence Liaison Office (RILOs) of the World Customs Organization to detect, prevent and control the whole transport process to assess the entire transnational smuggling ring.

Second, propose to reform the information sharing method about the campaign more effectively. Specifically, in addition to the current exchange mechanism, it is necessary to share and analyze information by groups of countries with the same key lines based on seizures to improve the efficiency of cooperation in the investigation and handling of violations.

"Vietnam Customs always affirms and strives to fulfil the commitments of the Government of Vietnam, is more proactive in cooperating with member Customs agencies and international organizations in the fight against smuggling, illegally transporting narcotics and wild animals and plants as well as other transnational crimes", emphasized Director of the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department Nguyen Hung Anh.

Virtual Workshop of Operation Mekong Dragon III Virtual Workshop of Operation Mekong Dragon III

VCN – The Virtual Workshop of Operation Mekong Dragon III is taking place from October 26 to ...

"Vietnam Customs always affirms and strives to fulfil the commitments of the Government of Vietnam, is more proactive in cooperating with member Customs administrations and international organizations in the fight against smuggling and trafficking of drug and wild animals and plants as well as other transnational crimes", said Director of the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department Nguyen Hung Anh.

Operation Mekong Dragon, initiated by Vietnam Customs and China Customs, was launched in September 2018 and received great technical support from the UNODC, RILO AP and six customs administrations in the Mekong sub-region.

The campaign has experienced four phases with the participation of 24 customs administrations and five agencies, including the Australian Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Singapore Drug Center, Singapore National Parks Board and RILO AP and UNODC;

By Thai Binh/ Huyen Trang

Related News

Exposing a transnational drug ring hidden in pet food

Exposing a transnational drug ring hidden in pet food

VCN - The Hanoi City Police Investigation Agency has completed the investigation and concluded the investigation into the case of illegal transportation of drugs from the Czech Republic to Vietnam.
Customs control and prevent many drug trafficking cases in the South

Customs control and prevent many drug trafficking cases in the South

VCN - Proactively grasping the situation and controlling the assigned areas, recently, the Southern Anti-Drug Smuggling Control Team (Team 6) under the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department, General Department of Customs, has coordinated to detect and prevent many drug smuggling cases through the Southern region.
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.
Quang Binh Customs arrests two suspects carrying 26 kg of drugs

Quang Binh Customs arrests two suspects carrying 26 kg of drugs

VCN - The Customs Control Team (Quang Binh Customs Department) has just coordinated with other forces to arrest two suspects transporting 26 kg of drugs

Latest News

Three-year drug bust nets over 23 tons

Three-year drug bust nets over 23 tons

VCN - After more than 3 years of implementing the Drug Prevention and Control Program for the period 2021-2025, competent forces have cracked down on tens of thousands of cases and seized more than 23 tons of various drugs.
Thousands of diamonds seized in airport smuggling bust

Thousands of diamonds seized in airport smuggling bust

VCN - After proactively coordinating with the Economic Police Division, Ho Chi Minh City Police to detect and arrest a case of smuggling more than 700 diamonds transported by an Indian man, Tan Son Nhat International Airport Customs Branch, Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department continued to detect and arrest another smuggling case with more than 300 diamonds.
An Giang Customs announces businesses with tax arrears

An Giang Customs announces businesses with tax arrears

VCN - An Giang Customs Department has just announced 25 businesses with tax arrears worth over VND6.2 billion.
Unit 4: Stopping dozens of cases of transportation in counterfeits through border gates

Unit 4: Stopping dozens of cases of transportation in counterfeits through border gates

VCN - More than 20 cases of importing and exporting counterfeits and goods infringing intellectual property rights were promptly stopped by the Anti-Smuggling and IPR Protection Enforcement Unit (Unit 4) under the Anti-Smuggling Investigation Department, General Department of Customs.

More News

Establish nearly 170 bogus enterprises to purchase illegal invoice

Establish nearly 170 bogus enterprises to purchase illegal invoice

VCN - Hoang Phi has established 168 bogus enterprises to commit the act of purchasing illegal invoice in over 4 years.
Foreigner caught smuggling 7 gold pieces at Noi Bai Airport

Foreigner caught smuggling 7 gold pieces at Noi Bai Airport

VCN - On October 18, Noi Bai International Airport Customs Branch (Hanoi Customs Department) discovered a male foreigner, hiding 7 pieces of metal weighing about 7kg, suspected to be gold, upon entering the country.
Dozens of fake HERMÈS bags intercepted in a border crackdown

Dozens of fake HERMÈS bags intercepted in a border crackdown

VCN - Dozens of fake HERMÈS luxury brand bags were intercepted by the Intellectual Property Rights Protection Enforcement Unit Team (Unit 4) - Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department - General Department of Vietnam Customs right at the border gate.
Ho Chi Minh City Customs and Border Guard join hands to prevent dozens of smuggling cases

Ho Chi Minh City Customs and Border Guard join hands to prevent dozens of smuggling cases

VCN - With efforts to develop and implement a plan to combat smuggling, trade fraud and illegal transportation of goods, Ho Chi Minh City Customs and Border Guard forces have prevented dozens of violations, many of which have been criminally prosecuted.
Vietnam, Laos cooperate effectively in combating drug crimes

Vietnam, Laos cooperate effectively in combating drug crimes

VCN - Through the coordination between the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and the Lao Ministry of Public Security, many drug cases have been promptly solved, including many major cases.
HCM City Customs detect over 20 cases of smuggling and tax evasion

HCM City Customs detect over 20 cases of smuggling and tax evasion

VCN - Among nearly 1,700 cases of customs law violations detected by the HCM City Customs Department, there were over 20 cases of smuggling and tax evasion.
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.
Read More

Your care

Latest Most read
Three-year drug bust nets over 23 tons

Three-year drug bust nets over 23 tons

After more than 3 years of implementing the Drug Prevention and Control Program, competent forces have cracked down on tens of thousands of cases and seized more than 23 tons of various drugs.
Thousands of diamonds seized in airport smuggling bust

Thousands of diamonds seized in airport smuggling bust

Tan Son Nhat International Airport Customs Branch, Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department continued to detect and arrest another smuggling case with more than 300 diamonds after the seizure of 700 diamonds
Exposing a transnational drug ring hidden in pet food

Exposing a transnational drug ring hidden in pet food

VCN - The Hanoi City Police Investigation Agency has completed the investigation and concluded the investigation into the case of illegal transportation of drugs from the Czech Republic to Vietnam.
Customs control and prevent many drug trafficking cases in the South

Customs control and prevent many drug trafficking cases in the South

VCN - Proactively grasping the situation and controlling the assigned areas, recently, the Southern Anti-Drug Smuggling Control Team (Team 6) under the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department, General Department of Customs, has coordinated to detect a
An Giang Customs announces businesses with tax arrears

An Giang Customs announces businesses with tax arrears

VCN - An Giang Customs Department has just announced 25 businesses with tax arrears worth over VND6.2 billion.
Mobile Version