Customs cooperate to detect large-scale cigarette smuggling and drug trafficking

(Chinhphu.vn) - In the spirit of strictly implementing the Government's direction on fighting smuggling and drugs, the Customs force has simultaneously launched operations, continuously detecting two major violations in Ho Chi Minh City, related to smuggled cigarettes and transporting more than 5kg of drugs.

Customs forces inspect a shipment imported from Canada to Vietnam containing smuggled cigarettes.

Strictly implementing the Prime Minister's instructions in the telegrams and directives issued in May and early June 2025, along with the plan of the Ministry of Finance and the General Department of Customs, Customs forces across the country have simultaneously launched a peak campaign to combat smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods. Notably, the cases discovered in Ho Chi Minh City were chaired by the Anti-Smuggling Investigation Department.

Specifically, on June 5 and 6, 2025, the Southern Anti-Smuggling Control Team (Team 3) and Drug Control Team No. 3 (Team 7) coordinated with Saigon Port Customs Area I, Customs Control Team, Risk Management Department of Customs Sub-Department Area II, and forces of the Ho Chi Minh City Border Guard, to inspect the export shipment to Toronto (Canada) of VHP Company.

Drugs were cleverly hidden in the insides of wooden cutting boards.

The inspection results showed that the shipment contained more than 84,000 packs of Marlboro cigarettes of unknown origin, with an estimated value of over VND2.5 billion. Notably, the method of concealment was extremely sophisticated: the cigarettes were discreetly concealed inside two empty steel tanks that were completely welded shut, leaving only a small hole that could not be detected by the naked eye or by normal observation.

To check, the authorities were forced to use welding machines to completely cut and destroy the steel tanks, which were covered under the guise of low-value regular export goods (about 65 million VND) to easily bypass the inspection agency without prior professional information.

It is worth noting that the route of cigarette smuggling from Vietnam to Canada is rarely violated. Previously, no case of such a large scale had been discovered, showing that smugglers are increasingly expanding their areas of operation, taking advantage of loopholes in international control.

At the same time, responding to the Drug Prevention Action Month with the theme "Shared determination - For a drug-free community", implementing the direction of the Government leaders, the Ministry of Finance, the Customs Department requested units to synchronously deploy solutions to control and prevent drugs.

In this series of actions, in the early morning of June 5, 2025, Drug Control Team No. 3 (Anti-smuggling Investigation Department) coordinated with Tan Son Nhat International Airport Customs to discover a Malaysian passenger illegally transporting drugs.

Bong Suk Shya (Malaysian nationality) on flight VN678 departing from Kuala Lumpur to Ho Chi Minh City on June 4, 2025 was put under key inspection. Through screening of checked baggage, the working group discovered suspicious signs and conducted an in-depth inspection.

In the subject’s luggage, the authorities discovered 22 plastic bags containing colorless crystals, hidden inside wooden cutting boards. The results of a quick examination determined that the total weight of these substances was up to 5,027 grams and tested positive for methamphetamine – an extremely strong synthetic drug.

Immediately afterwards, all evidence and suspects were handed over to the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department (PC04) - Ho Chi Minh City Police for further investigation, clarification and handling in accordance with legal regulations.

Mr. Minh

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/hai-quan-phoi-hop-phat-hien-buon-lau-thuoc-la-va-van-chuyen-ma-tuy-quy-mo-lon-102250607104906917.htm