NEW FORCE FORMED TO FIGHT SMUGGLING BY AIR

Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phoc, deputy head of the National Steering Committee for Prevention of Smuggling, Counterfeit Goods and Trade Fraud (National Steering Committee 389), has signed a decision setting up an interdisciplinary team for combating the smuggling of goods by air.

The eight-member team is headed by Le Thanh Hai, office head of the National Steering Committee 389, according Decision 15/QD-BCD389.

Other members represent the Ministry of Public Security, the General Department of Vietnam Customs, and the Vietnam Directorate of Market Surveillance, the local media reported.

The move was made after the HCMC Customs Department discovered more than 11 kilograms of ecstasy pills and narcotics in the carry-on bags of four Vietnamese flight attendants at Tan Son Nhat International Airport last weekend.

The anti-smuggling team is tasked with handling reports about trade fraud cases, smuggling and trafficking of goods via international airports in the country.

The team can also ask other competent forces to join in dealing with complicated cases related to the smuggling of commodities by air, while also teaming with local media in raising public awareness about anti-smuggling.

The team will hold a meeting on a quarterly basis to review its operations and will disband after the country’s intensified campaign against smuggling, trade fraud, and trafficking of goods via international airports ends.

Source: The Saigon Times