Cracking down on many major cases
Mr. Dang Van Duc, Deputy Head of the Anti-Smuggling Investigation Sub-Department (Customs Department) said that implementing the National Target Program on Drug Prevention and Control to 2030, the entire sector has tightly controlled key routes, increased risk analysis and closely coordinated with the Police and Border Guards.
The results of the struggle in the past period recorded great pressure. From April 15 to May 14, 2026, functional forces coordinated to arrest 9 cases with 115 subjects (of which Customs presided over 3 cases), seizing exhibits including more than 120 kg of drugs of all kinds.
Accumulated from December 15, 2025 to May 14, 2026, the Customs sector has presided over and coordinated with the Police and Border Guard forces to detect and arrest 72 cases with 196 subjects (of which Customs presided over 23 cases). Functional forces seized about 428 kg of drugs (including 38.8 kg of marijuana; 36.7 kg of heroin; 13.5 kg of cocaine; 45.2 kg of ketamine; more than 291 kg of synthetic drugs).
Subjects continuously change methods, mixing drugs into import and export goods, border passengers or express delivery services, especially through airlines. Many typical cases have been cracked down.
On June 3, 2026, in Ca Hau village (Dien Bien), Tay Trang border gate Customs arrested a subject transporting 200 synthetic drug pills. On the same day, in Khe Sanh (Quang Tri), functional forces arrested 2 Lao subjects, seizing 12,000 pink pills.
Notably, implementing the HT426 special case investigation plan, the Border Guard, Police and Customs of Cau Treo International Border Gate caught red-handed a subject illegally transporting drugs on a taxi. Seized exhibits included 12 bricks of heroin, 11 kg of methamphetamine, 10 kg of ketamine and 16,000 pink pills, with a total weight of about 27 kg.
Expanding the investigation, functional forces continued to arrest more related subjects. By mid-June 2026, functional forces had sufficient grounds and decided to prosecute a criminal case related to the illegal transportation of about 27 kg of drugs at the Cau Treo international border gate.
Total force to deploy the International Action Month and Campaign
The entire Customs sector is implementing the Action Month for Drug Prevention and Control in 2026 with the theme "United determination to build communes, wards, and special zones without drugs". At the rally on June 18, 2026, Mr. Luu Manh Tuong - Deputy Director of the Customs Department requested the entire force to drastically implement professional plans, closely coordinate with the Police, Border Guard, and Coast Guard to reduce supply, reduce demand and reduce the harmful effects of drugs.
On the international front, Operation Mekong Delta VIII (OMD VIII) is a bright spot.
At the Mid-term Review Conference and OMD VIII consultation held in Chengdu (China) in mid-June 2026, positive results were recorded.
According to preliminary data, after nearly two months of phase VIII implementation (from April 15 to June 8, 2026), member agencies have detected and handled 927 cases. Among them, there are 839 cases related to drugs, 21 cases related to precursors, 47 cases related to wild animals and plants and 20 other cases. The total amount of drugs seized reached about 6.33 tons along with more than 252,000 units of drugs in tablet and package form.
At the event, Vietnam Customs actively shared practical experiences, proposed strengthening information connection, investigation cooperation and improving the ability to early identify new operating methods of transnational lines.
Identify challenges and orient
Functional agencies warn that the supply from the "Golden Triangle" area and routes from Laos and Cambodia to Vietnam is putting great pressure. Criminals often disguise drugs in ordinary goods to deceive scanning devices.
To overcome this, the forces agreed to complete the electronic data exchange mechanism, modernize equipment and improve the capacity of combat officers.
Regarding the upcoming direction, Mr. Dang Van Duc, Deputy Head of the Anti-Smuggling Investigation Sub-Department (Customs Department) affirmed that the Customs force will focus highly on improving the efficiency of information analysis and risk control. The application of modern technical equipment and strengthening close coordination with functional forces both inside and outside the industry is a key factor to promptly detect and prevent early acts of smuggling and illegal transportation of drugs across borders.
