One of key tasks set out in Directive No.215/CT-TCHQ dated January 15, 2021, of the General Department of Vietnam Customs on synchronous and drastic implementation of solutions on trade facilitation, improvement of the State management efficiency and prevention of revenue loss in performing the State revenue collection in 2021, is related to the tasks of the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department.

Nearly 90kg drugs transported by three suspects from Cambodia to
Vietnam was seized by the Border Guard in coordination with Customs
and Police forces on January 17.

Accordingly, the leaders of the General Department of Vietnam Customs, as the standing agency of the Steering Committee 389 of the Ministry of Finance, has directed the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department to effectively follow directives, resolutions and decisions of the Government, the National Steering Committee 389 and the Ministry Finance in the fight against and prevention of smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods and illegal cross-border transportation of goods.

Specifically, closely follow and drastically implement the directions, directives and resolutions of the Party, State, Government, Prime Minister, and the National Steering Committee 389. Strengthen control and fight against smuggling, trade fraud, illegal cross-border transportation of goods on all routes, strictly inspect and control goods imported and exported across land border gates. The focus is on conditional export and import, department goods, Covid-19 sensitive products, and banned goods.

Strengthen drug control measures along all stages, routes and areas. Notably, information related to trafficking and illegal cross-border transportation of goods must be handled in a timely, confidential and strict manner from the beginning to the end of the case, preventing disclosure of information and violators.

Improve the efficiency of using specialized equipment and sniffing dogs for drugs and precursor substance control. Continue to effectively implement the contents of the GDVC’s Plan No. 6197/KH-TCHQ dated September 22, 2020.

In addition, the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department needs to closely coordinate with competent forces in the Customs control area in accordance with its functions, duties, competency and coordination regulations. At the same time, improve the efficiency of information collection, exchange and processing with foreign organizations and individuals, especially information related to cases and violations of specific suspects, shipments, drug smuggling, banned goods, goods infringing intellectual property rights, new methods and tricks; expand international channels to support investigations.

The Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department also needs to supplement human resources, improve the capacity of the unit that is in charge of collecting information and supervision via the Customs electronic systems. Maximize the efficiency of the use of devices in online supervision at three levels. Research and establish online supervision centers in units with large revenues or units that have the Customs inspection and supervision systems installed.

Strengthen training and improving qualification for the customs control force; arrange and allocate enthusiastic, responsible and qualified customs control officers, meeting set requirements and tasks.

Leaders of the General Department of Vietnam Customs requested the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department to continue to deploy the fight against smuggling, trade fraud, fake goods, and illegal cross-border transportation of goods before, during and after the Lunar New Year 2021 under Plan No. 7582/KH-TCHQ dated November 30, 2020 of the General Department of Customs.

Focus on promoting bilateral and multilateral cooperation; actively implement the international cooperation and integration activities, including focusing on the implementation of the Plan for international cooperation and integration in the customs area for 2021-2025; strengthen information exchange related to the prevention of smuggling and trade fraud.