Cigars seized in a smuggling (Source: http://vietnamnet.vn) Hanoi (VNA) - Deputy Prime MinisterTruong Hoa Binh, head of the national steering committee forcombating smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeits, has signed into issuanceof official dispatch No.222/CD-BCD389 on strengthening the fight against illegalsmuggling, transportation and trading ofcigars.
Under the document, customs forces nationwide were asked to intensify theinspection and control and coordinate with authorized agencies to timely detect,arrest and handle those who illegal transport and trade cigars through internationalborder gates, especially at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat International Airports andcustoms areas.
The Ministry of Defence was requested todirect border and coast guard forces to intensify patrols and control at borderareas, both on land and at sea, for timely detection, arrest and handling ofcigar smugglers.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Securitywas asked to hold responsible for working with authorized agencies to identifyareas and target groups, thus stepping the fight against cigar smuggling gangs.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade was demandedto direct market management forces to coordinate with relevant agencies toregularly inspect and control the market, handle the illegal storage,transportation and trading of cigars in the domestic market and the illicit cigartrading via the Internet.
According to the official dispatch, authorized forces and localities have arrestedand handled over 20 million packages of cigarettes.
However, illegal cigar trading andtransportation activities have become increasingly complicated, especially inbig cities and key provinces. Notably, Hanoi’sauthorized forces and the General Department of Customs have arrested two casesof cigar smuggling and illegal transportation with a total of 42,000 cigars.-VNA
VNA
