High point against smuggling and trade fraud

From May 15 to June 15, An Giang launched a peak campaign to prevent and combat smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods across the border and inland, following the direction of the Prime Minister in Official Dispatch 65/CD-TTg and Directive 13/CT-TTg. This is a great effort to prevent the transportation and trading of prohibited and poor-quality goods from border areas into the inland, protecting the domestic market and the legitimate rights of consumers.

Strengthening forces, tightening border control

An Giang has a long border with Cambodia, with many trails, openings and crisscrossing rivers and canals. This is a favorable condition for smugglers to take advantage of illegal activities. According to the Provincial Steering Committee 389, there are currently 26 warehouses on the other side of the border, storing goods, including: cigarettes, sugar, foreign wine, cosmetics, candy... These items are inherently cheaper or equivalent to domestic goods, ready to be smuggled into Vietnam through sophisticated and reckless methods. "This peak period mobilizes the entire political system and the people to participate, demonstrating the determination to restore market order, protect legitimate businesses and consumer rights" - Director of the Department of Industry and Trade Nguyen Minh Hung affirmed.

Meeting to deploy the province's peak plan against smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods

In the first 5 months of 2025, the forces: Police, customs, border guards, market management... discovered and handled 281 cases of smuggling and transporting prohibited goods, involving 252 subjects. The total value of the goods temporarily seized was more than 3.7 billion VND. Of these, 145 cases were administratively sanctioned, the total amount of fines and value of confiscated goods was over 4.1 billion VND. Notably, there were 19 cases, with 20 defendants prosecuted, of which the Provincial Police prosecuted 15 cases, the Border Guard prosecuted 4 cases. Illegal entry acts were also strictly handled, with 22 cases, 29 subjects fined a total of nearly 64 million VND.

One of the province's bright spots in the fight against smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods is the synchronous and smooth coordination between functional forces through the Inter-sectoral Plan No. 18 and Coordination Regulation No. 19, which have been effectively implemented, helping units to quickly share information, conduct in-depth investigations, and deploy professional measures in a synchronous and proactive manner. The provincial Steering Committee 389 also implements directives from the Central and local levels to enhance the effectiveness of border management.

Mobilizing people's participation

“The Government has directed to launch a peak period this time to inspect hot spots and strictly handle cases, especially officials who assist in smuggling. At the same time, we will strengthen the mobilization of people not to assist in illegal acts,” emphasized Chairman of the People's Committee of An Giang Province Ho Van Mung, Head of the Anti-Smuggling Working Group of the province. In addition to the participation of functional forces, the province has identified people as the core force in the fight against smuggling. Through models such as “Self-management groups”, “smuggling-free communes”, etc., many localities in the province have promoted the role of the community in detecting, denouncing and preventing violations.

“Previously, smuggling occurred quite frequently, affecting the business and trade of honest people. Since the province opened a high point of inspection and strictly handled violations, I have seen a clear change in the situation. Hot spots have been controlled, goods circulate stably, and there is no longer a scene of fake and counterfeit goods floating around like before. We, the people, are very sympathetic, supportive and hope that the authorities will continue to maintain such determination to protect the peaceful life of people in the border area,” said Mr. Nguyen Van Hung (Vinh Xuong commune, Tan Chau town).

Colonel Lam Phuong Nguyen, Director of the Provincial Police Department, spoke at the conference to launch anti-smuggling in the province on May 21.

The Provincial Steering Committee 389 proposed to establish a border coordination mechanism between An Giang and other provinces such as Kien Giang, Dong Thap , Long An, etc., to create a unified and comprehensive monitoring system, because this connection helps increase control efficiency and ensure that there are no "gaps" in the fight against smuggling crimes. A key content emphasized in this peak period is the strict handling of officials and civil servants who show signs of covering up and assisting in smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods. This is a drastic step to build an honest and transparent apparatus in State management.

The results of the peak period will be summarized on June 15, 2025. This is not only an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of implementation, but also a basis for An Giang province to propose more sustainable mechanisms and policies in preventing and combating smuggling and trade fraud.

“During the peak period, the province focused on implementing 7 key tasks, including: Controlling borders, border gates, markets, e-commerce; patrolling and strictly handling violations; investigating, prosecuting and trying serious cases; handling the responsibilities of related individuals and organizations; propagating and signing commitments not to assist in smuggling; controlling poor quality food and pharmaceuticals; establishing a hotline to receive feedback from people” - Chairman of An Giang Provincial People's Committee Ho Van Mung, Head of the province's anti-smuggling working group shared.

MINH HIEN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/cao-diem-chong-buon-lau-gian-lan-thuong-mai-a422021.html