HCM City takes steps to prevent illegal sand mining on rivers and canals. – VNA/VNS Photo |
HCM CITY — The city’s People’s Committee has directed city police and border guards to strengthen management, inspection and handling of illegal sand mining on rivers and canals in the city.
The city police and border guards have worked with other police and border guards of nearby Đồng Nai, Tây Ninh, and Bình Dương provinces to patrol Đồng Nai River, Sài Gòn River and other transport routes to discover illegal sand mining and trading.
In addition, the city has directed the city’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment and the Department of Transport to work with other units to step up inspections of dredging projects and strictly handle violations.
The city’s border guards have handled many illegal sand exploitation and transportation cases in Cần Giờ District.
On Saturday, Long Hoà border station detained Nguyễn Văn Quân, born in 1985, the owner of a barge involved in illegal sand exploitation.
One day earlier, the station also caught four barges illegally carrying more than 1,500cu.m of sand. The border guards found 20 pieces of equipment being used for sand exploitation .— VNS