Smuggled sugar still “crosses the river” in the Southwest border

VCN- The confectionery production periodin the Mid-Autumn holiday has just ended,now the demand for production at the end of year beginsleadingtoan increasing demand for sugar. Foreseeing this trend, smugglersareillegally traffickingsugar day and night across the border with increasingly sophisticated tricks.
smuggled sugar still crosses the river in the southwest border
Material evidence and vehicles seized from a sugar smuggling case cracked by Long An Customs Control Team in collaboration with Market management forces in August. Photo: D.N.

Transformed sugar smuggling in An Giang Province

The border of An Phu district, An Giang Province is still the smuggling hub for sugarin the Southwest border area and until now sugar hasbeen transported illegally from warehouses across the border through Binh Di River to Vietnamese inland. According to the Steering Committee against smuggling, commercial fraud and counterfeiting (Steering Committee 389of An Giang province), sincelarge scale smuggling cases such as the “Ty duong” case were cracked, smugglershave narrowed their operations in order to assess the situation, but then they have continued to extend activities with more sophisticated tricks, especially since the beginning of August. With various methods such assecret operation, using the vouchersand invoiceslegalizing smuggled sugar, smugglershsvealso processed sugar into rock sugar or liquefied sugar for transport to make it difficult for anti-smuggling forces.

Material evidence and vehicles seized from a sugar smuggling case cracked by Long An Customs Control Team in collaboration with Market management forces in August.

The most notorious smuggling case was Nguyen Thi Kim Hanh(also known as Muoi Tuong) arrested by Police forces with hundreds of tons of granulated sugar, rock sugar and liquid sugar. The case was cracked on the August 10th2016, when Police forcesattacked a warehouse in Group 8, Thanh Phu village, Khanh An Commune, An Phu district’s border, An Giang Province and caught in the act of sugar smuggling, and taking persons into custody with 585 unlabeled sugar sacks (50kgs/sack). After quick examination,the police forces continued to arrest 3 more trucks transporting 600 sugarsacks shippedfromthe warehouse. Through quick examination, the subjects claimed that the goods was all packed Thai sugar without labels in Cambodia, then shipped to Vietnam through the border. At that night, the investigation group examined two othersugar warehouses in Da Phuoc commune, An Phu district, and seized 555 unlabeled sugarsacks. A total of nearly 30 tons of sugarthought to besmuggled goods was seized in order to clarify. Then, the investigating police agency and An Giang police decided to lay criminal prosecutionsand arrestsand gave the order to arrest Nguyen Van Lung, 31, who resides in An Phu district, An Giang province; Sal Son Vik, 25 years and Sarol Sessions, 23 years residing in Kandal province, Kingdom of Cambodia in order to continue investigating the acts of "illegal transportation of goods across the border." But the“female boss”is still "hidden".

In August, the functional forces of An Giang Province seized about 150 tons of smuggled sugar, an increaseby 2.6 times compared to July and 3.9 times compared to the same period in 2015. In addition, the functional forces also seized 17,200 kg of rock sugar and 84,000 kg of liquid sugar.

Various tricks in bordering areas

In the first 8 months of 2016, functional forces have confiscsted nearly 600 tons of smuggledsugar across the border. Illegal transportation of sugar across the border of Long An has fluctuated with complicated developments. There are not only scattered smuggling cases but also smugglersusing truckstransporting the goods for domestic consumption.

Inthe afternoon of August 22nd2016, The Customs Control Team, Customs Department of Long An Province collaborated with Team 2, Long An Market Management Department andarrested two trucks transporting 8 tons of smuggled sugar fromCambodia to Vietnam.This is the outcome of a long-time secret observation.Until3:30pm on August 22nd,2016 the combined force discovered two trucks with suspicious movement driving from the Vinh Hung border towards KienTuong town, so they stopped the vehiclefor inspection. The sugar was transported on the road from the border between Cambodia and Vinh Hung through Channel Road 79 of Tan Hung districts toHighway No.62 of Ho Chi Minh City for consumption. Earlier, also on the same highway in ​​Tan Lap Commune, Moc Hoa District, Economic Police Department –Long An Police stopped a truck havingregistration plates 63K– 1572 driven by Doan Quoc Tam, born in 1986, residingin Vinh Binh commune, Vinh Hung for shipping 290 sugar sacks (50 kgs/sack) made in a foreign country without invoices or documents proving the origin. The case is still under investigation.

Previously, smugglers at the border have preferred tpo smugglecigarettes, wine, and electrical goods, but in 2 years recently, massive amounts of Thai sugar has been smuggled through this route due to its high profit. It is predicted that smuggling will increase sharply due to the demand for confectionery production by the end of this year. The leader rarely shows up, even when the smuggling network is arrested. The driver works under "assignment" of the leader because when drivers successfully transport the sugar, they will be paid about 100,000 VND per ton.

In case of seizure of 30 tons of sugar arrested by Ho Chi Minh Market Management Department and Police forces,smuggled sugar was caught in a company at National Highway 1A, An Lac Ward, Binh Tan District, HCM City, and related suspectsconfessed this amount of smuggled sugar,produced by Thailand, packed in 50kgs sacks, sold at 530,000 VND per sack, while similar refined sugars of Vietnam sellat about 700,000 VND/sack. A considerate price gap makingsugar smuggling continue to increase along with demand for sugar.

Mr. Nguyen Hai, GeneralSecretary of Vietnam Sugar Association said "If the price gap between the domestic and smuggled sugar still exists, smuggling will still happen. Anti-smugglingrecenttime showed that where strong measuresare implemented, smuggling networksare cracked down, resulted in smuggling reduction. At the end of this year, I hope that the functional force will strengthen the fight against smuggling, “attack”to the right smuggling network in order to minimise smuggled sugar across the border".

By Dang Nguyen/Huu Tuc

Related News

Summary of Project A724p: Effectiveness from coordination work

Summary of Project A724p: Effectiveness from coordination work

VCN - Project A724p against drug crimes was implemented under coordination among four specialized agencies in charge of preventing drug crimes. The agencies arrested 10 suspects and seized 211 kg of various drugs.
Fireworks, firecrackers "hot" again

Fireworks, firecrackers "hot" again

VCN - Every year-end, the smuggling and illegal transportation of prohibited goods tends to increase, especially fireworks and firecrackers. The seizures in recent days show that the illegal trading and transportation of fireworks and firecrackers is getting "hotter".
Quang Tri Customs launches online vehicle management application

Quang Tri Customs launches online vehicle management application

VCN - To reduce time and costs for businesses, contributing to the socio-economic development of the province, Quang Tri Customs Department has launched "online vehicle management application at border areas " at Lao Bao and La Lay Border Gate Customs Branches.
"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.

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