As Tet (Lunar New Year) nears, illegal firecracker trading has become an increasing by difficult problem to manage, according to Tran Xuan Thuong, deputy chief of the customs office of Tan Thanh, northern province of Lang Son.
At the end of November, 2009, provincial police uncovered seven cases involving firecracker sales. Out of 300 kilos of firecrackers, a batch of new extremely dangerous types were uncovered.
In the last six months of 2009, the northern border province of Quang Ninh dealt with 54 cases, arrested 42 people, and seized 4.34 tonnes of firecrackers. However, only 15 cases reached trial, the others remain under investigation due to a lack of leads.
Hanoi authorities have also taken action by arresting mainly retail sellers. Nguyen Thi Uyen from Thuong Tin district kept 70 kilos of firecracker in her house. Three other sellers from the northern province of Thai Binh had to hand over 16.6 kilos.
“This year, firecracker trading has taken place earlier, and involved new methods of transportation,” said Thuong.
The most common way firecrackers are transported is by motorbike, with cross border smuggling done using rarely used routes and avoiding officials border gates. Newer ways include using taxis or porter carrying a small pack of firecrackers has made detecting the smuggling more difficult.
When chases by the police, smugglers have been known to use violence.
In order to effectively control the situation, closer cooperation between local and central authorities is necessary.
The General Department of Customs has issued documents 606/TCHQ-DT and 572/TCHQ-DT to ask local customs departments to actively join the fight against firecracker trading. Besides the direct involvement of local officials, people are encouraged to report to the police if they discover any violations.
Customs officers also need to improve the inspection of goods traded at the border, especially goods without clear stamps of origin, or chemicals substances./.
At the end of November, 2009, provincial police uncovered seven cases involving firecracker sales. Out of 300 kilos of firecrackers, a batch of new extremely dangerous types were uncovered.
In the last six months of 2009, the northern border province of Quang Ninh dealt with 54 cases, arrested 42 people, and seized 4.34 tonnes of firecrackers. However, only 15 cases reached trial, the others remain under investigation due to a lack of leads.
Hanoi authorities have also taken action by arresting mainly retail sellers. Nguyen Thi Uyen from Thuong Tin district kept 70 kilos of firecracker in her house. Three other sellers from the northern province of Thai Binh had to hand over 16.6 kilos.
“This year, firecracker trading has taken place earlier, and involved new methods of transportation,” said Thuong.
The most common way firecrackers are transported is by motorbike, with cross border smuggling done using rarely used routes and avoiding officials border gates. Newer ways include using taxis or porter carrying a small pack of firecrackers has made detecting the smuggling more difficult.
When chases by the police, smugglers have been known to use violence.
In order to effectively control the situation, closer cooperation between local and central authorities is necessary.
The General Department of Customs has issued documents 606/TCHQ-DT and 572/TCHQ-DT to ask local customs departments to actively join the fight against firecracker trading. Besides the direct involvement of local officials, people are encouraged to report to the police if they discover any violations.
Customs officers also need to improve the inspection of goods traded at the border, especially goods without clear stamps of origin, or chemicals substances./.
