Quang Tri tackles firecracker smuggling as Tet nears

The authorities in Quang Tri Province are dealing with increasing numbers of firecracker smuggling cases along the Sepon River as Tet nears.

The authorities in Quang Tri Province are dealing with increasing numbers of firecracker smuggling cases along the Sepon River as Tet nears.

 

300kg of firecrackers covered with fishing nets

Smuggling cases are on the rise during the year-end along the Vietnam-Laos border, especially banned goods such as firecrackers. The authorities have tightened security at Lao Bao Border Gate and set guards along the Sepon River.

The smugglers use various methods to evade the border guards, sometimes became aggressive and have attacked the officers in order to earn huge profits from the smuggled goods.

Lieutenant Le Dang Thuc, head of the reconnaissance unit at Lao Bao Border Gate, said the criminals often operate in the middle of the night. They place broken glasses at places where the guards may use at hiding places. When the smugglers' boat arrived, they would throw stones around in case there were guards nearby.

 

Border guards seized a large number of bags of sugar

Border guards recently seized 300kg of firecrackers covered with fishing nets.

They also chased a van 2km and seized a large number of bags of sugar. The driver abused the guards and ripped open the bags in an attempt to destroy the evidence.