"The prolonged Covid-19 pandemic has affected the lives of people on Lao Bao and La Lay border gates (Quang Tri), they are very susceptible to be abused, enticed into smuggling activities and illegal cross-border transportation of goods,” said Deputy Director of Quang Tri Customs Department.

Infringing goods seized by the Customs Enforcement Team
(Quang Tri Customs Department) in the third quarter of 2021.
Photo: Tuan Anh

New items appear

According to a representative of Quang Tri Customs Department, smuggling and illegal cross-border transportation of goods decreased due to the resurgence of Covid-19, that made local governments, competent authorities and people strengthen anti-pandemic measures, restrict travel of people and means of transport.

Infringing goods are mainly foreign cigarettes, foreign beer, sugar and Thai-made electronics. Those involved in smuggling are mainly residents in Quang Tri province and neighboring localities (Quang Binh, Thua Thien Hue and Nghe An).

However, Quang Tri Customs identified the appearance of new items. For example, in the third quarter of 2021, the unit handled three violations related to foreign mobile phone equipment and accessories of all kinds. To deceive competent forces, the suspects used small trucks to carry infringing goods.

At Quang Tri Customs Department, the Customs Enforcement Team always plays a key role in the fight against smuggling and illegal cross-border goods transportation. In order to closely control the situation, the team regularly assigns officers to monitor developments and situations in the Lao Bao border-gate area, as well as on Route 9.

In the past nine months of 2021, the Customs Control Team handled 56 cases and seized infringing goods worth VND2.82 billion; and handed out fines worth VND128.75 million.

A representative of the Advisory Unit under the Customs Enforcement Team said recently, the illegal transportation of foreign cigarettes and foreign alcohol in the customs management area has decreased significantly. The smuggling methods have not changed much.

Contraband goods are transported through border-crossings, the Sepon River, and then stored in warehouses (mostly people's houses adjacent to the border). After transporting goods across the border, smugglers hire people to use carts and trailers to carry goods through trails and openings to warehouses in Lao Bao town and communes along the border. Then, the goods are transported to Dong Ha city and to neighboring provinces for consumption on passenger cars or trucks.

Ensuring officers for both anti-pandemic and anti-smuggling work in the area

Deputy Director of Quang Tri Customs Department Nguyen An Dinh said smuggling and illegal transportation of goods across the border are becoming complicated and unpredictable, especially at the end of the year when the consumer demand increases. Smugglers will change their methods and tricks, find all ways to bring goods across the border to evade the patrol and control of competent authorities.

To improve the effectiveness of anti-smuggling work in the rest of the year, Deputy Director of Quang Tri Customs Department Nguyen An Dinh said the department's leader continues to encourage the customs enforcement team to strengthen officers to ensure the anti-pandemic work and combat smuggling and illegal cross-border transportation of goods.

The team should closely follow the control plan and understand the situation of key areas and subjects, especially ​​Lao Bao and La Lay border gates and Route 9 to take timely countermeasures.

In addition, the team should work closely with competent forces such as the Police and Market Surveillance in patrol and control, as well as local governments in notifying people not to participate in or support acts of smuggling and illegal cross-border transportation.