Hanoi (VNA) – Mechanisms should be rolled outpromptly in order to prevent corrupt acts, said Deputy Prime Minister TruongHoa Binh at a conference in Hanoi on January 29.

A working group will be established to supervise theperformance of agencies in the combat, both publicly and secretly, regularlyand unexpectedly, according to the official.

The inspection work of competent agencies must be stepped upin order to prevent the abuse of power, activities hindering operation ofbusinesses as well as group interests, the Deputy PM said.

“The Government must intensify the inspection capacity ofministries and agencies, and their responsibility for reviewing their ownperformance in this battlefield,” Binh noted.

He emphasised the determination to leave no “prohibitedzones” in the fight against crimes, smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeitproducts.

The Deputy PM urged ministries and agencies to completelegal documents to deal with shortcomings in State management, and protect thesafety of key projects and major national political, social and culturalevents, especially the upcoming Lunar New Year.

He underlined the need to improve the efficiency of thefight against organised, economic and high-tech crimes, dangerous gangs, terrorism,human trafficking, money laundering, smuggling, counterfeit products, childabuse and corruption, asking ministries and agencies to deploy measures to dealwith criminals who flee abroad.

Deputy Minister of Public Security Sen. Lieut. Gen. Le QuyVuong reported that the number of criminal cases dropped by 3.02 percent in2017, with many serious corruption and economic cases brought to trial.

Competent agencies detected 42,577 criminal cases, 17,159 economiccases, 944 cases of high-tech crimes, 19,400 cases of environmental violations,21,471 drug cases and 324 cases of human trafficking.

Of note, smuggling and trade fraud in the border areas ofthe northern provinces of Lang Son, Quang Ninh and Lao Cai have shown signs ofdecrease.

However, Vuong said, tobacco smuggling at the southwesternborder has still remained complex, with increasing number of cases in variousforms.

According to Major General Bui Duc Hanh, Deputy Commander ofthe Borer Guard, the common borders between Vietnam and China, Laos andCambodia are the key areas of drug trafficking and smuggling.-VNA