Noi Bai Customs dealing with to drug crimes using high technology

Noi Bai International Airport Border Gate Customs strengthens to use equipment and sniffing dogs in patrolling and control. Photo: N.Linh

Warning about new contact methods of drug criminals

Deputy Director of Noi Bai International Airport Customs Branch Phung Quang Minh said that Noi Bai International Airport is a destination in the flight network from Europe, America, South Asia, and Northeast Asia and Asia-Pacific. According to statistics, the amount of imported and exported goods through Noi Bai International Airport ranks first nationwide. The number of international flights and imported and exported goods is increasing. Meanwhile, the Customs agency is to quickly clear large volumes of import and export goods while still ensuring customs management.

In recent years, the situation of smuggling and transporting prohibited goods across the border has become complicated, in which the drug trafficking has shown signs of increasing. Current drug criminals have been taking advantage of the achievements of science and technology to commit crimes.

According to the leader of Noi Bai International Airport Customs Branch, the tricks of smugglers and illegal drug transporters via air and express delivery are increasingly sophisticated, complex and constantly changing to bypass Customs and management authorities. In addition to strengthening management measures in the area, the Customs agency also regularly updates warning information from international experts about new drug transportation tricks.

Also according to the leader of Noi Bai International Airport Customs Branch, recently international experts have warned about the form of information exchange between criminals. They use game consoles to exchange information with each other through the encryption method of these devices and transmit information over the internet. Previously, drugs transported by air were hidden and disguised in supplementary foods, alcohol, cosmetics… but now most drugs are hidden in machinery and equipment to avoid the screening of the Customs.

Drugs are often hided in personal belongings, disguised machinery, and sophisticated packed to hide the true image of the goods during screening. Meanwhile, the Customs is still thin, the information received is still scattered, and it is difficult to identify suspects, which is also a difficulty in the fight.

Strengthening control and inter-sectoral coordination

To further improve the effectiveness of prevention and control of drugs and precursors in the area, a representative of Noi Bai International Airport Customs Branch said that the unit has strengthened the information collection to identify signs of violations and fraudulent methods in import and export activities, made warning records, monitored, supervised and strictly controlled risky flights, routes, businesses and items.

In addition, the unit has strengthened direction, drastically and effectively implemented customs control measures, properly and fully carried out inspection processes, customs supervision and control to handle drug trafficking cases according to the actual situation at Noi Bai International Airport.

At the same time, focusing on inspecting, monitoring and controlling shipments from Vietnam to countries and areas with high risk of drugs risks and vice versa. Increasing the use of specialized equipment and non-intrusive inspection tools such as drug detectors, scanners, sniffer dogs to promptly detect and prevent cross-border drug smuggling.

In particular, enhancing information exchange and coordinating with management authorities inside and outside the sector to develop effective anti-drug plans and prevent violations in the field of customs, seizing and handle violations in a timely fashion.