Large number of medical mask smuggling cases broken

The exhibits seized by the customs force (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – The number of medical mask smuggling cases have risen due to COVID-19 pandemic, making it difficult for pandemic control activities.

According to a report from the General Department of Vietnam Customs, COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the demand for medical masks up significantly, encouraging smugglers to increase the smuggling of the product.

In February alone, the customs force of border localities of Lang Son, Lao Cai, Quang Ninh and Cao Bang detected and seized a large number of smuggling of medical masks without origin or receipts. Notably, smugglers divided batches of masks to smaller packages to transport through the border.

It is dangerous as the smugglers entered the country from pandemic-hit regions, causing difficulties to pandemic prevention activities amidst the pandemic is developing complicatedly, said a representative from the department.

Alongside, origin-related frauds as well as drug trafficking have still been complicated.

From January 16 to February 15, the customs sector discovered and detected 764 violation cases with a total good value of 43.7 billion VND, collecting fine of 6.2 billion VND. Legal proceedings were launched for two cases, while nine others were transferred to authorised agencies.

Notably, on February 12, the Long Sap border gate customs sub-department under the Dien Bien Customs Department in coordination with local authority arrested two drug traffickers through the border, seizing three bricks of heroine, 200g heroine-like white powder, and 200 tablets of amphetamine.

Earlier on February 2, the Cau Treo international border gate’s sub-department under the Customs Department of the central province of Ha Tinh coordinated with the local border guard force to arrest a Lao national who illegally transported 36,000 tablets of meths cross the border./.