Social Affairs
Hanoi cracks down on smuggling via aviation, delivery service
The Hanoi Customs Department has taken measures to crack down on smuggling activities in the remaining months of this year with special attention given to air transport and international delivery services.
It also called for ministries and relevant sectors to coordinate in examining and supervising export and import goods, cross-border transport vehicles, immigration, transit and luggage at seaports, internal water ports, stations along international railways and airports.
At the same time, work to improve the effectiveness of state management on customs services at Noi Bai International Airport will be stepped up, including the installation of supervision cameras and comprehensive checks of warehouses.
The Hanoi Customs Department said smuggling and the transportation of banned goods, especially drugs, is getting complicated with 607 cases of law violations discovered since the beginning of this year.
Some notable cases included the seizure of 46kg of elephant tusks on January 29 and 248kg of pangolin scales on April 11, both at Noi Bai Airport.
In addition, a trans-border drug smuggling ring was uncovered recently, involving the sending of 2.1 tonnes of Khat leaves which contain cathinone, a strong narcotic, via international post.
