Sophisticated tricks in wild animal and plant trade
On June 18, 2026, in Ha Long city (Quang Ninh), Vietnam Customs in coordination with TRAFFIC International in Vietnam organized a training workshop on preventing and combating illegal trading of wild animals and plants for customs units nationwide within the framework of Operation Mekong Dragon VIII (OMD VIII) with the participation of 26 delegates who are focal points for OMD VIII deployment from 20 regional Customs Sub-Departments, Anti-Smuggling Investigation Sub-Department and Customs Department Office, along with TRAFFIC experts, Vietnam Academy of Forest Sciences, Customs Supervision and Management Board and Anti-Smuggling Investigation Sub-Department.
According to TRAFFIC International representatives in Vietnam, Vietnam continues to be a key area on illegal wildlife trafficking routes in the region. Cross-border criminal lines are increasingly taking advantage of import and export activities, logistics, express delivery and e-commerce to illegally transport ivory, rhino horn, pangolin scale and many other endangered, precious and rare species.
In that context, the Customs force is identified as playing a leading role in detecting, preventing and handling violations and is a focal point for connecting information, coordinating nghiệp vụ and promoting law enforcement cooperation between localities as well as countries participating in the campaign.
Representatives of the Anti-Smuggling Investigation Sub-Department said that the operating methods of subjects are increasingly sophisticated with many new tricks such as falsely declaring goods names, dividing batches, taking advantage of transit, express delivery and e-commerce to evade inspection by functional agencies.
To proactively respond, the Customs Department is synchronously implementing many solutions, including strengthening the collection and analysis of professional information; applying risk management; investing in modern scanning equipment; expanding inter-sectoral coordination and promoting international cooperation. Through the Mekong Dragon Campaign and technical support programs, the capacity to detect, investigate and handle cases related to wildlife and plants continues to be improved.
Nearly 930 cases detected after nearly two months of implementing OMD VIII
According to the Customs Department, the Mekong Dragon Campaign was initiated by Vietnam Customs and China Customs in 2018 with the support of RILO A/P and UNODC. Through 8 consecutive implementation phases, this initiative has developed from a bilateral cooperation mechanism to a multilateral coordination mechanism, attracting the participation of many customs agencies, law enforcement forces, international organizations and development partners in the region as well as around the world.
The results achieved by the campaign have been recognized by the international community, contributing to improving border management capacity, strengthening regional security and safety, and promoting law enforcement cooperation between countries. Notably, the Mekong Dragon Campaign has been mentioned three times in the Vietnam-China Joint Statements at high-level meetings between leaders of the two Parties and States, showing the meaning and importance of this cooperation mechanism in cross-border crime prevention and control.
According to preliminary data updated at the conference, after nearly two months of implementing OMD VIII (from April 15 to June 8, 2026), member agencies have detected and handled 927 cases. Including 839 cases related to drugs, 21 cases related to precursors, 47 cases related to wild animals and plants and 20 other cases related to weapons, tobacco and e-cigarettes.
The amount of exhibits seized shows the remarkable scale of the campaign. The total amount of drugs discovered is about 6.33 tons along with more than 252,000 units of drugs in tablet and package form; about 400 kg of precursors and more than 71,000 units in boxes and bottles; about 20.7 tons of wild animals and plants and more than 2,000 individuals and specimens seized.
In the process of implementing OMD VIII, Vietnam Customs also actively shared practical experiences, results of struggle as well as difficulties and obstacles in the work of preventing and combating smuggling, illegal transportation of drugs and wildlife across borders with member agencies, thereby contributing to improving the effectiveness of coordination throughout the campaign.
According to the Customs Department, in the face of the increasing trend of transnational crime both in scale and sophistication, no country or single agency can respond effectively without a close coordination mechanism. Therefore, strengthening connections, information sharing, coordinating investigations and joint actions through the Mekong Dragon Campaign will continue to be an important foundation to improve law enforcement efficiency, effectively control cross-border transport routes, protect biodiversity and aim for sustainable development.
