Deputy PM: Strict punishment for smuggling and fraud

The request was made at a December 28 working session with leaders of ministries, industries and Central Steering Committee 127 held to discuss smuggling and trade fraud prevention and punishment on the occasion of the Lunar New Year.

He said that if the fight against smuggling and trade fraud is not strengthened, the domestic production industry will be weakened due to the "massive attack" of the evil. Solving this problem requires the determination of all the leaders of authorised and relevant agencies across the country to collaborate on combatting smuggling and trade fraud.

According to Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Cam Tu, trade fraud and smuggling in the northern border provinces since October have seen complicated developments due to high demand for commodities such clothes, wine, beer, cigarettes, firecrackers, toys and poultry.

On central border routes, wood smuggling and illicit trade in explosive materials transported from Laos remain problematic, as does the illegal exploitation of forest products.

This year, the Market Management Department has handled nearly 80,000 cases of smuggling, fake goods and trade fraud, collecting VND350 billion in penalties. The police forces have handled more than 12,900 cases, levying nearly VND740 billion in penalties. The customs agency has handled 22,000 cases with VND550 billion in fines, the border guards have handled 2,000 cases with nearly VND600 billion gathered and the marine police handled 800 cases for a fine total of VND145 billion.

Deputy PM Phuc directed authorised agencies to focus forces on key areas and to closely monitor items prone to smuggling such as firecrackers, cigarettes, wine, food, petrol, chemicals, wood and gold, among others.

(Source: Nhandan Newspaper Online)