According to Steering Committee 389 of Lang Son, the illegal transport of goods across the border in Lang Son has been basically controlled. However, recently it is worth noting that there have been some hot spots for the illegal import and export of goods in Tan Thanh commune (Van Lang district), Chi Ma commune (Loc Binh district) and Bac Xa commune (Dinh Lap district).

Huu Nghi Customs officers check imported goods. Photo: H.Nụ

From the beginning of the year until now, competent authorities in Lang Son province have handled more than 6,100 cases with 4,500 subjects committing acts of smuggling and trade fraud, with a total amount of administrative violations totaling nearly VND80 billion. In November, competent forces in the province inspected and handled 520 cases of violations on smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit and banned goods. They sanctioned 498 cases of administrative violations. The total amount of handling violations paid to the State budget is over VND6.5 billion.

The Steering Committee 389 of Lang Son said that “during the Lunar New Year, the situation of smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods was forecasted to increase and become more complicated. Because, at the present time, smuggling activities through trails still take place in some key areas, such as High Hill area, Ro Bon area, Hill 386 and the Ba Lan slot. Main products were consumer goods, ready-to-wear clothing, electronic goods, phone components, food and cosmetics.”

From October onwards, at the boundary areas of 1036, 1036/5, and 1037, riverways belonging to Binh Nghi sub-border gate showed signs of illegally transported goods.

In order to carry out smuggling activities, many subjects used closed trucks to transport electronic components packed in foam boxes. They went on the route as follows: Lung Vai - Lung Vai - Binh Do- Taoyuan. Then, taking advantage of the dark, foggy night, the subjects transported onto rafts and motorized plastic plates running along the riverbank to evade the control of competent forces.

In theTan Thanh commune a number of subjects have surreptitiously smuggled goods across the border area of ​​Na Han street and Ba Nuoc street, with many sophisticated tricks. The subjects mainly illegally export all kinds of wood, electronic components, cosmetics and groceries.

Faced with this situation, the Steering Committee 389 of Lang Son province has directed units to strengthen patrols and strictly control the border, preventing banned and counterfeit goods from being smuggled.

According to Mr. Luong Trong Quynh, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and Head of the Steering Committee 389 of Lang Son province, “the responsibility of the heads of the authorities at all levels is to fight smuggling and trade fraud. Therefore, the heads of the units must regularly pay attention to anti-smuggling work in the locality. For officers, soldiers or people working in the anti-smuggling force, if they commit acts of violations, be they cover up or abet smuggling, they would be handled very strictly in accordance with the regulations.”

Talking to reporters about the prevention and combat of smuggling and trade fraud at the end of the year, a representative of the Huu Nghi Customs Branch (Lang Son Customs Department) said, “that in the current “new normal” situation, from now until the Lunar New Year, the risk of subjects performing acts of smuggling and trade fraud will increase. To prevent this situation, the unit has implemented many plans and improved container scanning machines, drug detectors and sniffer dogs, in order to strengthen inspections.

“In particular, the unit will also focus on medical equipment, grocery goods and consumer goods serving the people. In addition, Huu Nghi Customs also maintains anti-smuggling duty shifts at the important locations in the area, ensuring tight control 24/7”.