HCM CITY — HCM City plans to step up enforcement against smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods to better cope with the rising number of violations that have been occurring this year.

“Smuggling has risen since last year despite city authorities’ efforts,” Trần Vĩnh Tuyến, vice chairman of the People’s Committee, said at a meeting held last week in the city.

With the increase in smuggling cases and trade fraud, Tuyến said violators engaged in smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods would be strictly punished.

Tuyến said the police, customs and market management officials would work together to fight smuggling via Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport and from the southern provinces of Long An and Tây Ninh to HCM City.

Enforcement will also be strengthened against smuggling at bus stations such as Miền Đông (Eastern) Coach Station, Miền Tây (Western) Coach Station and An Sương Coach Station.  

Waterways, where a number of smuggling cases have occurred, especially on Thầy Cai Canal, will be monitored as well.

Policies and regulations will be established to closely supervise imports for re-export, as well as business activities related to food safety.

Tuyến said it was vital to raise public awareness about the harmful effects of smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods.

Though violations had risen this year, the city had made some achievements against illegal activities in the first six months, especially during the Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday, when complex smuggling and trade fraud cases took place due to a higher consumption level of food and other products.

In the first six months, the city uncovered more than 13,800 illegal cases involving smuggling, trade fraud and fake goods, and collected more than VNĐ2.47 trillion (US$110.78 million) for the state.

Products worth more than 20 billion ($897,000) were seized, and 49 cases were prosecuted.

Violations mainly occurred in border areas and via air and sea routes. The main smuggled goods were drugs, firecrackers, explosives, oil and gas, wild animals and their products, wine, tobacco, food, pharmaceutical products, cosmetics and electronics.

Organisations and individuals have also been found illegally using chemicals and additives in production, cultivation and animal husbandry, sparking public health concerns.

One of the most noteworthy cases was the seizure of 1.84kg of cocaine at HCM City’s Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport a few months ago. — VNS