Illegal goods sales have resulted in more investigations and more fines.
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| Consumer demand has been increasing sharply before Tet arrives. |
Nguyen Dac Loc, Deputy Chief of the Market Management Department of Hanoi (MMDH), reported that from November 1, 2009 to January 25, 2010, his unit investigated 1,552 cases of suspected illegal products and sales. His department found 1,211 of those cases involved individuals and businesses breaking the law by selling things such as smuggled and forbidden goods, counterfeit goods, goods with label infringement and more.
The case has netted over VND8.3 billion (US$446,941), including over VND 2.5 billion in fines, nearly VND 4.7 billion in confiscated goods and over VND 1.1 billion in goods that were ultimately destroyed.
Smuggled and forbidden goods confiscated by MMDH include but are not limited to, alcohol goods, clothing, tobacco products, electricity equipment and more.
MMDH has seized 9,000 various fireworks, 4,528 tobacco packages, 500 toy guns and numerous other items.
According to Loc, the constant fluctuation of prices on the market makes it difficult to forecast and counter illegal sales.
