Nghe An Customs actively combats drug-related crime

	Nghe An Customs tackles drug trafficking ring from Laos to Vietnam
	Nghe An Customs cooperates effectively against drug-related crime
	Nghe An Customs removes problems for businesses engaging in import and export activities through the province

Nguyen Van Son (sitting) and 2 kg of drugs are arrested by the Customs and Police force on May 11.

Effectively coordinate

The land border of about 419 km, accounting for a quarter of the total length of the border between Vietnam and Laos, and hundreds of trails and border crossings between the two countries are good conditions for the operation of drug-related criminals.

Assessments from law enforcement forces show that, in the Nghe An border area, Vietnamese suspects connect with Lao and Thai suspects to create large-scale drug trafficking rings. Smugglers often gather drugs in border areas and in remote mountainous areas to avoid the control of the law enforcement authorities and then hire residents to transport drugs to Nghe An area.

According to a representative of the Drug Enforcement Team (under Nghe An Customs Department), border areas of Ky Son, Tuong Duong, Anh Son districts where Nam Can International Border Gate is located adjacent to Laos are “hot-spot” for smuggling and illegal transportation of drugs. The drug transport rings along the border route operate closely and complicatedly.

The investigation showed that the suspects took advantage of the State's facilitation policies in investment activities, especially customs procedures for import and export goods such as electronic customs declaration, application of risk management in classifying goods channel, exemption from physical inspection of goods, luggage, means of transport and transit goods to illegally transport drugs.

According to Nghe An Customs Department, the department has coordinated with other law enforcement authorities to arrest 8 cases and seize 0.95 kg of fresh poppy fruit, 2,017 grams of methamphetamine, 166 grams of amphetamine tablets, 31 tablets of amphetamine …

In the peak month of drug crime prevention (in June), units under Nghe An Customs Department cooperated with other enforcement authorities to tackle five cases and arrested five suspects and seized a large number of drugs.

On June 14, at Tam Tien hamlet, Chau Thon commune, Que Phong district, Nghe An province, the Investigation Police Department on Drug-related Crimes (PC04), Nghe An Police coordinated with the Drug Enforcement Team to arrest Luong Anh Tu, 28, residing in Tam Hop commune, Quy Hop district for illegal transportation of 9,000 synthetic drugs pills.

On June 26 at Pa Khom village, Tri Le commune, Que Phong district, Nghe An province, Nghe An Customs and Border Guard forces arrested Tho Cong Minh, 32, for illegal transportation of 4,000 tablets of amphetamine.

The results show that Nghe An Customs has effectively prevented and combated drug-related crimes. The department has coordinated with other forces to tackle drug-related rings and gangs.

Making full use of equipment

It is forecasted that at the end of the year, drug trafficking on border routes, especially in the western area of Nghe An, will increase and become complicated. Deputy Director of Nghe An Customs Department, Kieu Truong Son, said that the department has developed plans, taken measures and coordinated with other forces and local government agencies to monitor related subjects and make records to combat cases.

Nghe An Customs Department has directed units to take measures to prevent taking advantage of the transport of goods to smuggle drugs into the country. The Customs units at border gates have used modern technical equipment and sniffing dogs to promptly detect people and means of transport transporting drugs.

Currently, Nghe An Customs Department has coordinated with Border Guard and Police authorities to review drug rings and prevent drugs from foreign countries to the domestic market.

Deputy Director Kieu Truong Son, Nghe An Customs Department will implement regulations and plans to coordinate with relevant authorities to tackle drug trafficking rings and gangs and focus on inspecting land border routes adjacent to Laos.

In addition, the department has taken measures to patrol and collect and exchange information with local government agencies to monitor key areas and new smuggling tricks.