The Coast Guard Region No. 3 Command said around 11.15 pm on December 8, it discovered the fishing boat LA 99093 TS about 12 nautical miles from Đông Sơn Shoal.
The officers boarded the boat and found about the oil of unknown origin.
On board were its captain, Nguyen Hoang Minh, 52, from HCM City’s Long Dien Commune, and four crew members.
A fishing boat off the southern coast was found carrying 100,000 litres of smuggled diesel on December 8. - Photo courtesy of VietnamCoast Guard
Minh failed to furnish documents to prove the origin of the oil, and none of the crew had the certification required to be a sailor.
On December 11, the boat was brought ashore, and handed over to Squadron 301 Port in HCM City for further investigation.
The Coast Guard Region No.3 Command under the Vietnam Coast Guard is tasked with managing waters from the Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) province of Gia Lai (former Binh Dinh Province) to the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Vinh Long Province (former Trà Vinh Province), including the waters of Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands and DK1 rigs.
It has stepped up efforts to combat smuggling, drug crimes, human trafficking, trade fraud and counterfeit goods ahead of Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday.
