Hanoi (VNA) – The National SteeringCommittee for combating smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeits has said itwill step up inspections and fight against petrol and oil smuggling and tradefraud in 2018.

The committee announced the outcomes of the combat against smuggling, tradefraud, and counterfeits at a press conference on January 31.

Dam Thanh The, Office Manager of the committee, said aside from petrol and oil,wood, minerals, wild animals and plants, waste, scrap, and used electronic,refrigeration, and household appliances are among the most smuggled goods. Mostof them were trafficked to northern port Hai Phong city, central Da Nang city,southern Dong Nai province, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Smuggling was mainly bustling in border areas of the provinces of Lao Cai, CaoBang, Lang Son, Quang Ninh, Quang Binh, Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, An Giang, and KienGiang. However, smuggling activities in Lang Son, Quang Ninh and Lao Cai whichborder China have shown signs of decline as many items of commodities whichused to be smuggled have been allowed to import via the border gates.

Meanwhile, cigarette smuggling along the south-western borderline with Cambodiaremains complicated, The said, adding it is popular that big volume ofcigarettes, from 10,000 to 40,000 packs, are trafficked by coaches, trucks andboats.

He attributed the problem to obstacles to criminal proceedings againstcigarette smugglers.

He said smugglers also take advantage of sea routes and sea and river ports viawhich major amount of goods is transported.

In 2017, relevant agencies discovered more than 225,800 violation cases andcollected over 23 trillion VND (1 billion USD) from administrative fines, saleof seized goods, and tax arrears for the State budget.

The said there remain many latent risks in the fight against smuggling, tradefraud, and counterfeits due to authorities and agencies’ inconsistent effortsand lax settlement of poor-performing officials responsible for the work. -VNA