Police in Ho Chi Minh City have launched criminal proceedings and ordered the detention of four Chinese nationals on charges of transporting prohibited goods, authorities announced on September 24.
The suspects were identified as Lou Shije, 55, Lei Kang, 33, Wang Xiaojin, 35, and He Yuqiang, 42.
During an inspection of their luggage on September 10, authorities discovered 1,793 cartons, equivalent to 17,930 packs, of smuggled cigarettes bearing the Peony and Chunghwa brands.
According to investigators, the suspects admitted they had been hired to transport the cigarettes from Vietnam to another country in exchange for payments ranging from CNY 800 to CNY 1,000 per trip. In addition to the fees, their airfare and accommodation expenses in Vietnam were reportedly covered.
Police said that on September 10 the four men travelled to the area near Pillar 10 of Terminal 2 at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, where they received luggage containing the cigarettes from an unidentified individual before proceeding with check-in procedures.
Investigators allege that the suspects were fully aware the cigarettes had been illegally imported but nevertheless agreed to transport them.
The Investigation Police Agency of Ho Chi Minh City Police is continuing to expand the inquiry to identify the individuals who organised the transport operation, supplied the goods and may have been involved in the alleged smuggling network.
Under Vietnamese law, the offence of transporting prohibited goods can carry criminal penalties depending on the nature and scale of the violation.
