Strictly controlling smuggling and illegal transportation of goods through Cau Treo border gate

According to the State management authorities in Ha Tinh area, in 2023, the smuggling situation in the Cau Treo international border gate area was controlled. However, there were potential risks of transporting drugs and firecrackers such as reinforcing the transport vehicle to hide prohibited goods; taking advantage of the terrain to transport drugs for consumption, use, and trading for profit.

According to Deputy Director of Ha Tinh Customs Department Nguyen Dinh Long, the Cau Treo international border gate area has dense foggy weather and rugged mountains, causing many difficulties for patrolling and controlling at the two sides of the border gate. In particular, the fight against drug traffickers who travel across through the forest at night faces many difficulties.

Accordingly, the State management authorities have boost the coordination in patrolling, controlling 24/7 in border areas and border gates. Thus, crimes of smuggling and illegal transportation of goods across the border decreased compared to the previous year.

The arrest and infrining goods. Photo: Thanh Giang

Statistics from Steering Committee 389 Ha Tinh show that from the beginning, the authorities in Ha Tinh province have worked together in seizing 163 cases and arresting 167 suspects. The confiscated evidence included: 3 kg of methamphetamine, more than 2 kg of ketamine, 9 bars of heroin, 222.1 kg of firecrackers, gun components and air gun bullets.

Particularly, Cau Treo International Border Gate Customs Branch (Ha Tinh Customs Department) presided over and coordinated with others to the arrest of 16 cases of smuggling and illegal transportation of goods across the border, 4 cases of firecrackers, and 7 drug-related cases. The confiscated evidence included 100 kg of MSG, 2 wooden sticks, 10 boxes of Fineline brand laundry detergent, 43 electric fans, 203 boxes of explosive fireworks, 1 coconut firecracker, and 0.66 kg of firecrackers. Up to now, Cau Treo Customs has also issued decisions to sanction 129 administrative violations with a total fine of more than VND1.3 billion.

According to Mr. Nguyen Dinh Long, although the Customs and Border Guard forces were on duty 24/24, the import and export goods were in large volume, and many vehicles were reinforced, so the State management agencies faced many difficulties in inspection and control.

However, it is determined that if the authorities are negligent, smuggled and banned goods will easily enter the inland. At the border gate, Customs and Border Guards regularly collect information from many sources such as border, garages, or production facilities, to clearly understand the situation.

In the last months, especially closer to the Lunar New Year, criminals have become increasingly sophisticated and cunning, using many new tricks to bring banned goods, especially firecrackers, into the inland. Therefore, Steering Committee 389 Ha Tinh request border authorities to work closely and regularly with local authorities and Laos to fight and prevent smuggling effectively.