Speed boat used to smuggle cigarettes in Northeast Sea

VCN- Using boats with speeds of up to50 knots is one of the methods used by smugglers in the Northeast Sea, especially for smuggling cigarettes.
Various tricks of hiding smuggled cigarettes Various tricks of hiding smuggled cigarettes
Long An strictly controls anti-smuggling at end of year Long An strictly controls anti-smuggling at end of year
Confusion in management over next-generation tobacco products Confusion in management over next-generation tobacco products
4300-0032-0350-slide1
Some photos related to the smuggling of more than 4 million cigarette packs seized by the Customs Marine Enforcement Fleet No.1

Concerns over tobacco smuggling

The leader of the Customs Marine Enforcement Fleet No.1 (under the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department) said that in 2020 cigarette smuggling in the Northeast Sea is still a problem. During the year, the Fleet seized and handled four cases related to foreign cigarettes.

Typically, the seizureof a shipment of 8,549 packages of foreign cigarettes (more than 4 million packs), one ship and 23 suspects in March under the special plan TL-320. This is the largest cigarette smuggling case handled by Customs.

The success of the special plan TL-320 is a breakthrough in the fight against cigarette smuggling, and timely prevention of all cigarettes smuggled into the country for consumption, thereby confirming the position and the important role of the customs control force.

“Through the arrests, some tricks have been found, such as smugglers taking advantage of the dangerous coastal characteristics of Quang Ninh - Hai Phong, with many islands and channels, which are convenient for hiding goods and bad weather conditions, the suspects transfer the cargo to fishing boats, small boats and then transport them inland. Notably, smugglers use boats with2 to 8 engines and speeds of up to 45-50 knots to move to the coastal area from Quang Ninh to Thai Binh, Nam Dinh to tranship smuggled cigarettes to ships and boats disguised as fishing boats and transport them to shore, where there are no people. Then, the smuggled goods are loaded ashore at night, between 22:00 and 4 a.m. Then, they use cars with7-15 seats to transport tobacco inland,” leader of Fleet No. 1 said.

In addition, cigarette smuggling rings are often protected by gangsters; and there are linksbetween foreigners and domestic suspects to smuggle cigarettes into the country.

Smuggled cigarettes are cheap and are foreign, and cigarette packs are not printed with health warning images, so people prefer to use them.

Need to strengthen international cooperation

To further improve the effectiveness of the fight against smuggling in the Northeast Sea, the leader of the Fleet No. 1 proposed to strengthen international cooperation and information exchange with neighboring countries, and countrieswiththe transit of smuggled cigarettes into Vietnam. It is necessary to exchange information about cigarette imports, tobacco trade, and cooperate in controlling tobacco smuggling in border gates.

Enterprises trading and providing services for tobacco and foreign alcohol must deposit, open LCs, and pay via banks. Tobacco products are only allowed tobe exported through major border gates, international border gates, in full container load and not in less than container load.

For the customs control force, it is necessary to regularly train and improve operational knowledge and skills to enhance investigation skills. In addition, it is necessary to equip additional vehicles with powerful engines, and can operate in narrow channels, coastal areas, along islands and train officers to use thesevehicles.

Proposing the competent authorities to discuss with the Vietnam Tobacco Association to set up a fund to support and reward anti-smuggling forces upon the seizure of smuggled cigarettes.

By Thai Binh/Ngoc Loan

Related News

Consulting on customs control for e-commerce imports and exports

Consulting on customs control for e-commerce imports and exports

VCN- The General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) consults widely on the draft Decree regulating customs control for e-commerce imports and exports.
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.
Hai Phong Customs sets out 15 tasks to achieve the revenue target of VND 72,000 billion

Hai Phong Customs sets out 15 tasks to achieve the revenue target of VND 72,000 billion

VCN – Hai Phong Customs Department has issued Directive No. 624/CT-HQHP dated January 21, 2025 on drastically implementing solutions to facilitate trade, improve the effectiveness of state management, and strive to achieve the revenue target of 2025.
GDVC sets goal of widely disseminating Customs policies

GDVC sets goal of widely disseminating Customs policies

VCN – The General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) has issued a plan to disseminate and educate the law; and support and provide information in 2025.
Comment

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.
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.

More News

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.
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.
Read More

Your care

The system has not recorded your reading habits.

Please Login/Register so that the system can provide articles according to your reading needs.

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