Officers of the Coast Guard Region No. 3 Command patrol and handle violations at sea during the Tết campaign. — Photos Courtesy of Việt Nam Coast Guard

HCM CITY — The HCM City-based Coast Guard Region No. 3 Command uncovered and handled 10 cases of smuggling and illegal transport at sea, and collected hundreds of millions of đồng in fines during a nationwide campaign before, during and after Tết (Lunar New Year), officials said at a conference on March 18.

Speaking at the conference, Deputy Political Commissar for Legal Affairs of the command Colonel Nguyễn Đức Hiếu said the command’s units had strictly followed higher-level directives and carried out coordinated, decisive measures to combat crime, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods.

During the campaign, patrol, inspection and control activities were intensified across assigned waters, helping authorities maintain a firm grip on maritime security and order.

“Functional forces also improved forecasting and monitoring, enabling them to promptly detect, prevent and handle violations at sea.”

As a result, authorities inspected 50 vessels and imposed administrative penalties on all of them, with total fines exceeding VNĐ196 million (US$7,700).

The HCM City-based Coast Guard Region No. 3 Command reviews its Tết anti-crime campaign at a conference on March 18.

The command also led and coordinated the detection, arrest and handling of 10 cases involving nine vessels engaged in illegal trading, transportation of smuggled goods and unverified mineral shipments.

Of these cases, eight involving eight vessels have been fully resolved, with administrative fines totalling VNĐ870 million ($34,800).

Confiscated goods were auctioned, contributing more than VNĐ4 billion ($160,000) to the State budget.

In parallel, legal awareness campaigns were stepped up, particularly efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

During the peak period, the unit conducted direct and fisheries system-based outreach to 2,373 vessels and 9,392 fishermen, distributed over 1,600 leaflets and presented 640 national flags to fishing communities.

Concluding the conference, Hiếu commended officers and soldiers for their strong sense of responsibility and determination in tackling maritime crime.

He said the campaign helped curb violations and maintain security, order and safety at sea during the Tết period. He also reaffirmed the Coast Guard’s core role in law enforcement on Việt Nam’s waters. — VNS