On April 27, the Southern Customs Marine Enforcement Fleet – Fleet 3 (Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department - General Department of Vietnam Customs) inspected two ships disguised as fishing boats but transporting DO oil without invoices and documents for proving the origin.

Fleet 3 announced the decision on inspection. Photo: T.H

Through inspection, Fleet 3 discovered 10 compartments filled with D.O oil. In particular, inspecting a fishing boat with license plate TG - 92233- TS, Fleet 3 discovered 150,000 litres of D.O oil containing in seven compartments.

At the time of arrest, the vehicle’s operator Vo Minh Tan claimed the goods were D.O oil and all of the violated goods lacked documents to prove the origin.

Continuing searching fishing boat with license plated TG - 91133- TS, Fleet 3 discovered the ship contained about 45,000 litres of oil. At the time of arrest, all infringing goods did not have any documents to prove their origin. The vehicle’s operator Tran Thanh Tung initially claimed the goods were DO oil. However, he could not produce documents related to the shipment.

The two boats transporting smuggled oil were seized by Fleet 3 in the waters of Con Dao (Ba Ria-Vung Tau) when implementing specialised combat plan No. XD321 on March 12, 2021 of the Anti-smuggling and Investigation Department. After being seized, the two boats were sealed by Fleet 3 and towed ashore to carry out investigation and inspection.

All of the oil has been verified by Fleet 3 and is waiting for the results to be processed.

According to the leaders of Fleet 3, the tricks of the subjects were using fishing boats to trade and illegally transport DO oil on the sea. It aimed to distract competent authorities. In particular, boats transporting smuggled oil are equipped with fairly modern technical machines such as long-range radar, to detect ships of competent forces to flee, avoiding the control of authorities.

Facing the increasingly complex situation of smuggled oil at sea, Fleet 3 said the unit would effectively deploy leaders’ directions, strengthen investigation and control at sea to prevent the illegal transportation, sale and purchase of petroleum at sea timely.

Some pictures of when Fleet 3 made the decision to inspect two ship transporting D.O oil illegally:

Customs officials opened seal to inspect witnessed by vehicle’s operator. Photo: T.H

Compartments filled with D.O oil were camouflaged. Photo: T.H

Each compartment filled fully with D.O oil. Photo: T.H

Staff collect sample for inspection. Photo: T.H

Customs officials inspected each compartments. Photo: T.H

All of the oil was pumped into the tank to ensure safety. Photo: T.H