Authorities have apprehended numerous cases of illegal sand mining.

The anti-drug and crime prevention force of the Tra Vinh Border Guard inspects vehicles engaged in illegal sand mining.

Currently, Tra Vinh province is implementing many large projects, such as the Dinh An Economic Zone and National Highway 53B, resulting in a huge demand for sand, stone, and gravel, especially sand for land leveling. According to statistics, the amount of sand needed for leveling in construction projects in Tra Vinh province is estimated at over 1 million cubic meters. However, the licensed sand mines in the area are currently unable to meet this demand.

Recently, the anti-drug and crime prevention forces of the Tra Vinh Border Guard have coordinated with relevant agencies to strengthen management and inspection measures and resolutely handle cases of law violations in the field of natural resources and minerals, especially cases related to the illegal exploitation, transportation, and trading of sand. Among these cases, there have been violations involving large quantities.

Typically, on June 5, 2023, during a patrol and inspection in the sea area of ​​Tra Vinh province, the Truong Long Hoa Port Border Guard Station, in coordination with the Southern Anti-Drug and Crime Task Force, discovered and temporarily detained five vessels: HD-8389; HD-2358; ND-3553; ND-372 and ND-40509, captained by Tran Van Tung (born in 1987, from Ninh Binh province); Bui Van Truong (born in 1985, from Hai Duong province); Le Van Canh (born in 1984, from Binh Phuoc province); Trinh Xuan Toan (born in 1978, from Thanh Hoa province); and Hoang Van Tinh (born in 1985, from Nam Dinh province), who were engaged in illegal sand mining. The vessels contained a total of 1,500 ^cubic meters of sand. At the time of inspection, the captains of these vessels were unable to present documents proving the legality of the aforementioned quantity of sand and documents related to the vessels. The Provincial Border Guard Command issued administrative penalties to 05 vessels, totaling 910 million VND.

Most recently, at 7:35 AM on July 11, 2023, in the inland waters off the coast of Tra Vinh province, in Dong Hai commune, Duyen Hai district, a task force from Long Vinh Border Guard Station inspected vessel ND-3218, operated by Mr. Vu Van Thang, born in 1984, residing in Kon Tum province. The vessel had 5 people on board and was extracting sand at the mine of Quoc Viet Trading, Service and Transport Company Limited. The vessel contained approximately 100 ^{cubic meters} of sand.

Upon inspecting the vehicle, Mr. Thang was unable to present any relevant vehicle documents. At 8:30 AM on the same day, the task force discovered vehicle BG-0268, driven by Mr. Lai Duc Duong, born in 1970, from Hai Duong province, with four people on board, extracting approximately 20 ^cubic meters of sand. At the time of inspection, Mr. Duong was able to present documents related to sand mining activities. Through investigation and verification, it was determined that both vehicles were operating outside the licensed sand mining area. The Long Vinh Border Guard Station proceeded to draw up administrative violation reports and temporarily seized the vehicles for investigation and processing according to the law.

Since the beginning of the year, the anti-drug and crime prevention forces of the Tra Vinh Border Guard have arrested 7 cases/23 individuals/11 vehicles involved in illegal sand mining. They have advised the Provincial Border Guard Command to impose administrative fines totaling nearly 1.169 billion VND and ordered the restoration of 1,150 ^m³ of sand to its original state. In addition, several smaller-scale illegal sand mining cases have been apprehended by the anti-drug and crime prevention forces of the border posts and are currently under investigation and processing.

Colonel Pham Van Thuan, Head of the Anti-Drug and Crime Prevention Department of the Provincial Border Guard, said: combating illegal mineral trafficking and exploitation in general, and illegal sand mining in particular, is very difficult. This is because the perpetrators operate sophisticatedly, taking advantage of the cover of darkness and assigning lookouts to watch from a distance. If they detect the presence of law enforcement, they quickly drive their vehicles away to escape.

Determined to restore security and order in the maritime border area, the Tra Vinh Border Guard Command has directed its units to coordinate with functional forces to strengthen patrols and control in key areas, resolutely arresting and strictly handling cases of violations in accordance with the law. At the same time, border guard posts are stepping up propaganda and education efforts to raise public awareness about combating illegal sand transportation and exploitation; actively detecting and reporting violations of the law, contributing to the Border Guard's efforts to maintain political security, order, and social safety in the border and maritime areas of the province.

Text and photos: CONG DANH

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