Seized more than 84,000 packs of cigarettes and 5kg of drugs hidden in sophisticated ways

Cigarettes were hidden in two empty steel tanks, sealed with only a small hole that could not be seen with the naked eye; drugs were hidden in the insides of wooden cutting boards.

Evidence seized by authorities. Photo: CHQ

On the afternoon of June 6, the Customs Department announced that on June 5 and 6, the Southern Anti-Smuggling Control Team (Team 3) and Drug Control Team No. 3 (Team 7) - Anti-Smuggling Investigation Department, Customs Department, coordinated with Saigon Port Customs Area I, Customs Control Team, Risk Management Department (Customs Department Area II); Nha Rong Port Border Guard Station; Drug and Crime Prevention Department - Ho Chi Minh City Border Guard to inspect the shipment of VHP Company exported to Toronto, Canada.

The results discovered more than 84,000 packs of Marlboro brand cigarettes of unknown origin, the value of the infringing goods is estimated at more than 2.5 billion VND.

Notably, the illegal goods were cleverly hidden in two empty steel tanks, then sealed, leaving only a small hole that could not be observed with the naked eye or taken out.

To check, the Customs agency had to use welding machines to cut and destroy the entire steel tank.

Disguised vehicles are a relatively common type of export goods, low value (about 65 million VND) to easily bypass authorities if there is no professional information and appropriate control measures applied. On the other hand, smuggled cigarettes from Vietnam to Canada is a rare route, no major incidents have been recorded before.

As part of a series of activities to combat drug crimes during the Drug Prevention and Control Action Month from June 1 to 30, Drug Control Team No. 3 - Anti-Smuggling Investigation Department coordinated with Tan Son Nhat International Airport Customs (Customs Department of Region II) to conduct synchronous customs measures to identify key routes and subjects.

On June 5, the working group screened the checked baggage of passenger Bong Suk Shya (passport number K54774935, Malaysian nationality) on flight VN678 on June 4 departing from Kuala Lumpur and landing at Tan Son Nhat International Airport on suspicion of drug trafficking.

After implementing professional measures, the working group determined that in the checked baggage of a subject there were 22 hidden plastic bags containing colorless crystals in the inside of wooden cutting boards.

The rapid test results determined the total mass of the suspected substance to be 5,027 grams, positive for methamphetamine.

The entire evidence and the subject were recorded by the Customs and handed over to the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department (PC04) - Ho Chi Minh City Police for further investigation and handling according to the provisions of law.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/bat-giu-hon-84-000-bao-thuoc-la-va-5kg-ma-tuy-duoc-cat-giau-tinh-vi-704791.html