HCMC authorities determined to battle sugar smuggling

People’s Committee in Ho Chi Minh City ruled that those in charge of controlling smuggling in an area will be punished if illicit transport of sugar occurs in their jurisdiction area.
Inspectors check a warehouse of sugar (Photo: SGGP)
Inspectors check a warehouse of sugar (Photo: SGGP)
Because sugar was smuggled through river gate, sea harbor and road, city authorities released the announcement.

According to Vietnam Sugar Association, since 2016 to middle of 2017, around 500,000 tons of sugar were illegally transported into Vietnam, causing loss of over VND2 trillion ($88,024,301) in taxation.

Because of smuggled sugar and climate change, domestic sugar production has faced losses with 750,000 tons of sugar in its stock. At present, local sugar is sold at a higher price than that of Thailand. Smugglers have enjoyed a large sum of money after they bring thousands of tons of sugar into Vietnam.

Smugglers work day and night to bring sugar into Vietnam through border crossings by sly ways. Smugglers bring sugar not only through border gate in the Mekong delta province of An Giang but also in all Mekong delta provinces and in the central province of Quang Tri through Se Pon river and paths to Dong Ha Town.

Sugar has been transported in boats and small trucks to be consumed in Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho City in Mekong delta and East region of Vietnam.

Currently, Vietnam doubles fines on businesses of smuggled sugar. If illicit sugar is worth over VND100 million, traders will receive a fine of VND90 million for individual and VND180 million for an organization.
Additionally, if inspectors find out smuggling of sugar, they will transfer the case to investigation police to take criminal proceedings against smugglers.

Nevertheless, it is very difficult to accuse somebody for smuggling because police must have evidence.

To curb smuggling of sugar, People’s Committee has issued the regulation saying that those in charge of controlling smuggling in an area will be punished if illicit transport of sugar occurs in the area under their jurisdiction. 
People’s committees in 24 districts must early detect trading, stocking and transporting of smuggled sugar, the committee said. 

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