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

VCN - Since the beginning of 2024, many cases of illegal drug transportation with very sophisticated tricks have been detected and promptly prevented by the Tan Son Nhat International Airport Customs Branch, seizing nearly 20 kg of various drugs.
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.

By Lê Thu/Thanh Thuy

Related News

Dinh Ba Customs cooperates to arrest a subject carrying more than 4 kg of drugs swimming from Cambodia to Vietnam

Dinh Ba Customs cooperates to arrest a subject carrying more than 4 kg of drugs swimming from Cambodia to Vietnam

VCN - A subject carrying more than 4 kg of drugs swimming from Cambodia to Vietnam was arrested by the Dong Thap Border Guard in coordination with Tan Hong District Police and Dinh Ba International Border Gate Customs Branch.
Ho Chi Minh City supports businesses in green production and export

Ho Chi Minh City supports businesses in green production and export

VCN - Green production and, at a higher level, green branding have become the new "rules of the game" in both domestic and international markets. Therefore, green development will be considered a strategic direction for businesses to achieve sustainable growth.
Nghe An: Achieve effectiveness in coordinating to prevent drugs and prohibited goods

Nghe An: Achieve effectiveness in coordinating to prevent drugs and prohibited goods

VCN - Coordination in the fight against drug crimes is one of the outstanding results in the 5 years of implementing the coordination regulations between Nghe An Customs Department and Nghe An Border Guard Command (according to Regulation No. 3929/QC-BĐBP-TCHQ dated September 4, 2019 between the Border Guard Command and the General Department of Vietnam Customs).
Scrutinizing taxable price, HCM City Customs raises nearly VND 100 billion

Scrutinizing taxable price, HCM City Customs raises nearly VND 100 billion

VCN - Many imported goods have very low taxable value declared by enterprises. Customs officers of the Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department consulted and rejected the declared value, increasing the taxable value dozens of times.

Latest News

Ho Chi Minh City: Tightening management of trading of toxic chemicals

Ho Chi Minh City: Tightening management of trading of toxic chemicals

VCN - Many cyanide poisoning cases have occurred in the recent time. However, toxic chemicals, including cyanide, are still openly sold on the market and on social networks. Ho Chi Minh City authorities have simultaneously inspected many chemical-related businesses in District 5 and discovered many violations.
Risk of cigarette smuggling outbreak in Southwestern border in flood season

Risk of cigarette smuggling outbreak in Southwestern border in flood season

VCN - The volume of goods smuggled across the border in some southwestern border provinces has tended to increase, especially cigarettes originating from Cambodia, which are breaking out with sophisticated transportation methods.
Over half a ton of firecrackers intercepted at Cha Lo border gate

Over half a ton of firecrackers intercepted at Cha Lo border gate

VCN - Quang Binh Customs recently coordinated an inspection and discovered that a tractor-trailer truck entering Vietnam from Laos was hiding 556.3 kg of firecrackers.
Noi Bai Customs consecutive detection of 2 cases of foreigners hiding metals suspected to be gold

Noi Bai Customs consecutive detection of 2 cases of foreigners hiding metals suspected to be gold

VCN - In just one day, the Noi Bai International Airport Customs Branch (Hanoi Customs Department) has consecutively detected 2 cases of foreign visitors hiding gold bars on their bodies, with a total weight of 3kg for each case.

More News

Criminals take advantage of establishing enterprises to illegally produce and transport drugs

Criminals take advantage of establishing enterprises to illegally produce and transport drugs

VCN - Drug crime activities remain extremely complicated, especially the method of taking advantage of establishing enterprises in Vietnam to transport vehicles, equipment, raw materials, rent warehouses, etc to serve illegal production and transportation of drugs from abroad into Vietnam and continue to send them to third countries for consumption.
Preventing drugs in Northwest border

Preventing drugs in Northwest border

VCN - The drug crime situation in the Northwest region remains complicated. Among them are especially dangerous wanted criminals hiding in Van Ho district, Son La province, Mai Chau district (Hoa Binh) and Dien Bien district (Dien Bien) who collude with domestic and foreign subjects for drug trafficking from the Golden Triangle area across the border into Vietnam and to third countries for consumption.
The smuggling situation is controlled strictly in An Giang

The smuggling situation is controlled strictly in An Giang

VCN - Managing the area at 5 border gates on the Southwest border, An Giang Customs Department has synchronously deployed effective solutions to combat smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods. Director of An Giang Customs Department Nguyen Thanh Toan shared with Customs Magazine about the situation and the unit's solutions to combat it.
The cooperation between Customs and An Giang Border Defence achieves outstanding results

The cooperation between Customs and An Giang Border Defence achieves outstanding results

VCN - During the 5 years of cooperation, the two forces have coordinated to inspect and control more than 4.5 million vehicles entering and exiting An Giang border gates, detecting 88 case of violations. Thanks to that, security and order in the border area and border gates have been maintained, minimizing violations.
"Caught" 26kg of drugs from clues of subjects that multiple enter and exit

"Caught" 26kg of drugs from clues of subjects that multiple enter and exit

VCN - The coordination, cooperation, information exchange and handling of drug cases between Quang Binh Customs Department and specialized forces for drug crime prevention and control of the Police, Border Guard and Coast Guard were carried out seriously and effectively.
"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.
Long An Customs and Border Guard forces coordinate to combat  smuggling cases

Long An Customs and Border Guard forces coordinate to combat smuggling cases

VCN – In five years of implementing the coordination regulations, Long An Customs Department and Long An Border Guard Command have detected 42 cases related to smuggling and illegal transportation of goods across the border, with the value of infringing goods of over VND8.3 billion.
Combat smuggling in sea areas of Hai Phong and Thai Binh

Combat smuggling in sea areas of Hai Phong and Thai Binh

VCN – The Customs and Border Guard forces have coordinated to arrest 10 offences.
An investigation into the maritime accident involving 42 cars has been requested

An investigation into the maritime accident involving 42 cars has been requested

VCN - The company whose goods in the containers fell into the sea of ​​Quang Nam said that the goods were included many electric cars containing lithium batteries, which are toxic chemicals, posing a high risk of endangering the environment, and requested that the authorities investigate the maritime accident.
Read More

Your care

Latest Most read
Ho Chi Minh City: Tightening management of trading of toxic chemicals

Ho Chi Minh City: Tightening management of trading of toxic chemicals

VCN - Many cyanide poisoning cases have occurred in the recent time. However, toxic chemicals, including cyanide, are still openly sold on the market and on social networks. Ho Chi Minh City authorities have simultaneously inspected many chemical-related
Risk of cigarette smuggling outbreak in Southwestern border in flood season

Risk of cigarette smuggling outbreak in Southwestern border in flood season

VCN - According to the assessment of Steering Committee 389 of southwestern border provinces, in the flood season smugglers have gathered smuggled goods, mostly cigarettes, in arears near the border to use vehicles to transport the goods into Vietnam.
Over half a ton of firecrackers intercepted at Cha Lo border gate

Over half a ton of firecrackers intercepted at Cha Lo border gate

Quang Binh Customs recently coordinated an inspection and discovered that a tractor-trailer truck entering Vietnam from Laos was hiding 556.3 kg of firecrackers.
Dinh Ba Customs cooperates to arrest a subject carrying more than 4 kg of drugs swimming from Cambodia to Vietnam

Dinh Ba Customs cooperates to arrest a subject carrying more than 4 kg of drugs swimming from Cambodia to Vietnam

A subject carrying more than 4 kg of drugs swimming from Cambodia to Vietnam was arrested by the Dong Thap Border Guard in coordination with Tan Hong District Police and Dinh Ba Customs Branch.
Noi Bai Customs consecutive detection of 2 cases of foreigners hiding metals suspected to be gold

Noi Bai Customs consecutive detection of 2 cases of foreigners hiding metals suspected to be gold

In just one day, the Noi Bai International Airport Customs Branch (Hanoi Customs Department) has consecutively detected 2 cases of foreign visitors hiding gold bars on their bodies
Mobile Version