Tan Son Nhat International Airport Customs: Stop many cases of sophisticated drug trafficking

Drugs seized by Tan Son Nhat International Airport Customs

Hiding drugs on the body

Recognizing the increasing trend of illegal drug trafficking via air routes, especially during peak travel seasons, Tan Son Nhat International Airport Customs has implemented a series of enhanced inspection and control measures. These efforts have led to the detection of numerous sophisticated drug smuggling attempts.

In late August 2024, during routine security screening and customs inspections of departing passengers and their carry-on baggage, customs officials at Tan Son Nhat International Airport identified three male passengers bound for South Korea as suspicious.

Upon a thorough examination of their carry-on luggage, no illicit substances were found. However, after a brief consultation, customs officers decided to escort the three individuals to a secondary inspection room for further scrutiny. A body search revealed that the suspects had concealed a substantial quantity of drugs, specifically nearly 1.6kg of ketamine and MDMA pills, within their underwear. The drugs were divided into small packages and attached to their underwear using nylon bags. Despite this sophisticated method, it could not evade the vigilance of customs officers.

Subsequently, Tan Son Nhat International Airport Customs handed over the suspects, evidence, and case files to the Drug Investigation Police (PC04) of Ho Chi Minh City Police for further investigation.

In a previous incident on the early morning of July 26, 2024, at gate number 2 of the security screening and customs inspection area for departing passengers and their carry-on baggage, customs officers detected a male passenger of South Korean nationality who was scheduled to fly to Seoul. A body search, conducted in the presence of a representative from Asiana Airlines, revealed two nylon packages weighing a total of 163.2 grams, suspected to contain drugs.

A rapid test conducted by the customs officials confirmed the presence of narcotics. Tan Son Nhat International Airport Customs then transferred the case to the Drug Control Team of Ho Chi Minh City Customs and subsequently to the PC04 department of Ho Chi Minh City Police for further investigation and legal proceedings.

Export packages containing drugs

In addition to the detection of drug smuggling by departing passengers, criminals have been exploiting the concealment of drugs within export cargo.

In early August 2024, a customs inspection of 67 pairs of khaki pants in two export parcels bound for Australia revealed a sophisticated drug concealment method within the waistband of each pair of pants.

Customs officials reported that on August 2, 2024, a courier company employee filed an export declaration for a shipment to Australia classified as personal gifts. The shipment consisted of two parcels containing 67 pairs of pants and 20 shirts.

Through specialized inspection techniques and experience, customs officials detected anomalies in the khaki pants. Further investigation revealed that a nylon pouch (approximately 2.8cm x 70cm) containing drugs was sewn into the waistband of each pair of pants, with an average weight of 5.9 grams per pouch. A total of 67 nylon pouches were found hidden within the waistbands, resulting in a total seizure of approximately 3,939 grams of drugs.

According to Ho Chi Minh City Customs, this is a new and highly sophisticated drug concealment method. The perpetrators divided the drugs into small quantities, disguised them within the waistbands of pants, and concealed them within export cargo in an attempt to evade detection by authorities.

In a previous incident, an inspection of three cartons (weighing 27kg) destined for Australia revealed a declaration stating that the contents were Suyui brand car washing machines. X-ray scans showed that the three cartons contained ZUKUI brand car washing machines. Inside each machine, a nylon bag wrapped around the motor was found. Each nylon bag was wrapped in three layers (paper tape, carbon paper, and nylon), and the innermost layer contained a white powdery substance suspected to be narcotics. A total of 1,852 grams of this substance was found across all three packages. A rapid test confirmed the presence of heroin.

From the beginning of 2024 to early September 2024, Tan Son Nhat International Airport Customs has successfully intercepted 11 drug smuggling cases, seizing nearly 20 kilograms of various types of narcotics.