Risks from precursors

VCN - The use of precursors to prepare synthetic drugs in large quantities is a threat and challenge to the fight against drugs of competent forces.
Exhibits in the seizure on January 12, 2023, by the Hanoi Customs Department in collaboration with Division 3, Team 5 (Anti-Smuggling Investigation Department, General Department of Customs); PC04 (Hanoi City Police); PC04 (Bac Ninh Province Police) implemented. Photo: Ngoc Linh
Exhibits in the seizure on January 12, 2023, by the Hanoi Customs Department in collaboration with Division 3, Unit 5 (Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department, General Department of Customs); PC04 (Hanoi City Police); PC04 (Bac Ninh Province Police) implemented. Photo: Ngoc Linh

The situation of drug crimes is still complicated

According to the latest report of the General Department of Customs in the first two months of 2023, the activities of criminals buying, selling and illegally transporting narcotics and precursors across the border are still very complicated and have many risks, especially at border gates by road, air, and sea. The tricks to hide drugs are also very sophisticated and diverse such as disguised in packages of candy, functional foods, dog and cat foods, and cosmetics.

On January 12, 2023, Hanoi Customs Department coordinated with Division 3, Unit 5 (Anti-Smuggling Investigation Department, General Department of Customs); PC04 (Hanoi City Police); PC04 (Bac Ninh Province Police) discovered and arrested 1 person with the act of illegally trading and transporting narcotics (from the Netherlands to Vietnam), seizing 6,790 grams of ketamine and 51,788 kilograms of synthetic drugs MDMA. Notably, the subject stored these drugs in plastic bags, sophisticatedly hidden in bags of chocolate candy packed in cartons to bypass the functional forces.

Regarding the results of the fight against drugs in general, from the beginning of the year to February 15, the Customs sector presided over and coordinated with the Police and Border Guard forces to detect and arrest 31 cases with 38 subjects, of which the Customs took charge of 17 cases. Exhibits obtained include 23.5 kg of heroin; 4.5 kg of cannabis; 65.7 kg of ketamine; 5kg of cocaine; 11.3 kg of methamphetamine; 104.8 kg, and 6,100 pills of other drugs.

Beware of the risk of illegal use of precursors

Deputy Director of the Anti-Smuggling Investigation Department (General Department of Customs) Nguyen Van Ổn said that through the arrests conducted by the Customs force and other functional agencies, the activities of drug criminals are extremely complicated in all routes, especially postal, air, and express delivery.

Regarding the number of arrests, some experienced officials and civil servants shared that the number of exhibits recently seized does not stop at a few kilograms as in previous years but has reached dozens, even hundreds of kilograms in each case. The common ground from recent high-volume drug seizures shows that most are synthetic drugs. This drug is made from precursors, so the production volume is large, the cost is cheap, and drug crime lines are thoroughly implementing it.

For example, in 2022, the country successfully fought nearly 24,000 cases, arrested more than 36,000 drug offenders, and seized 741 kg of heroin, 105 kg of opium, and 268 kg of marijuana; but only synthesized drug is up to 4.7 tons (according to the report of the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department-C04, Ministry of Public Security-PV), many times higher than traditional drugs.

"When we fight hard and dismantle transnational drug crime lines, the problem may arise that the subjects carry out the production of synthetic drugs in our country," said the Deputy Director of the Anti-smuggling Investigation Department alert. Therefore, the state management of customs for precursors should be further focused.

Facing the above situation, the Anti-Smuggling Investigation Department has advised the General Department of Customs leaders to issue many guiding and warning documents with drastic solutions and measures.

Regarding the solution to fight in the coming time, Mr Nguyen Van On emphasized that the drug prevention and control force of the whole sector will continue to deploy the task group to organize the fight to arrest and handle violations. The second group of tasks are solutions in precursor management to prevent drug crimes early and remotely.

For the management of precursors, the Anti-smuggling Investigation Department has advised the General Department of Customs leaders to develop a plan to control precursors in the whole sector. This directs the drug control force of the whole sector to identify methods, tricks and critical areas, especially the airline and postal routes, to organize timely prevention and arrest. In particular, the guiding view of the leaders of the General Department of Customs is that for cases of smuggling and illegal transportation of drugs in the area of customs operations, the Customs authority must be the unit in charge, proactively; out of Customs operations area, they will coordinate with functional forces, especially with the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department (C04).

The process of globalization continues to drive changes in the production, sale and transport of illegal drugs in the EU, and different types of drugs with high purity are appearing more. The source of drugs is traded and transported from outside to the region and produced from within the EU countries. More dangerously, the region is considered an important production site for several new drugs, both for consumption within the bloc and for the global market. Therefore, the relationship between transnational drug crime groups from the EU and other regions, including Asia and Southeast Asia, has been noted.

With a favourable geographical position as a gateway for international trade, Vietnam faces many risks of criminals operating in the illegal transportation and trading of narcotics from Europe or other countries through Europe to enter Vietnam. In fact, over the years, our country's law enforcement forces have arrested many cases of illegal drug transportation in large quantities via sea, by air from this area to Vietnam or vice versa. Which there are many cases of illegal sale and transportation of narcotics in large quantities by air from European countries (Germany, Czech, Belgium, Netherlands) into Vietnam. (Source C04).

By Thai Binh/Phuong Linh

Related News

Tan Son Nhat Airport Customs commended for crackdown on smuggling

Tan Son Nhat Airport Customs commended for crackdown on smuggling

VCN - The National Steering Committee 389 has praised the Tan Son Nhat International Airport Customs Branch for its outstanding performance in combating smuggling, trade fraud, and illegal transportation of goods over the past two years.
Drug trafficking ring busted: Synthetic drugs concealed in pickled bamboo containers

Drug trafficking ring busted: Synthetic drugs concealed in pickled bamboo containers

VCN - Law enforcement agencies successfully dismantled two major drug trafficking operations, seizing a significant quantity of illicit drugs along with firearms and ammunition.
Customs sector deploys work in 2025

Customs sector deploys work in 2025

VCN - On December 16, the General Department of Customs held an online conference to review the results of work in 2024 and deploy tasks for 2025. Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang attended and directed the conference. Director General Nguyen Van Tho chaired the conference. Attending the conference were former Director General of Customs General Department Nguyen Van Can, former Deputy Director General of Customs General Department of Customs Hoang Viet Cuong and Deputy Directors General: Luu Manh Tuong, Dinh Ngoc Thang, Au Anh Tuan, Tran Duc Hung and representatives of a number of departments, bureaus and general departments under the Ministry of Finance.
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.

Latest 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.
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.
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.

More News

Remodel cars to hide drugs

Remodel cars to hide drugs

VCN – Criminals have hiden drugs inside people, vehicles and goods, especially using the method of transporting consigned goods, causing difficulties for the Customs in inspection and control.
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.
Routine security screening uncovers hidden weapons at point of entry

Routine security screening uncovers hidden weapons at point of entry

VCN - During routine X-ray screenings and inspections, the La Lay Border Gate Customs Branch (Quang Tri Customs Department) collaborated with other agencies to apprehend an individual attempting to smuggle two military-grade firearms and 92 rounds of ammunition across the border.
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.
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.
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