HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình has asked the Ministry of Finance to direct the General Department of Customs (GDC) to clarify the responsibilities of customs officers, particularly the unit’s leaders, involving a case dating back three years.

In mid-2015, the GDC detected 213 containers from 56 logistics enterprises that were to be transported from HCM City’s Cát Lái Port to Cambodia. But the containers never arrived at the Việt Nam-Cambodia border.

The containers contained electronic goods, including Japan-made washing machines, air conditioners and speakers, which are prohibited from being imported into Việt Nam.

At the end of March last year, an inspection team from GDC found out that officials from the Customs Branch of Saigon Port, Zone 1, did not follow regulations on the goods as there was no documentation relating to the containers.

The 56 enterprises were found to be unoperational and did not have headquarters at the addresses mentioned in their registration certificates.

The GDC has collaborated with the General Department of Security under the Ministry of Public Security to investigate the incident.

Bình, who is head of the national steering committee on combating smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods (Steering Committee 389), said strict punishment should be given to the violators and the results should be reported to the Prime Minister before May 1.

Investigators have coordinated with the Supreme People’s Court to take into custody four suspects, including two customs officers. Further investigation is underway. — VNS