General Nguyen Huu Cau warns of drug smuggling from abroad into Nghe An

PV:Dear Major General, Nghe An is considered one of the areas with complicated security and order. Could you please tell us a little about the crime situation in the area recently?

Major General Nguyen Huu Cau:In recent times, the crime and violation situation in Nghe An province has been basically controlled. In the first 6 months of 2019, the whole province detected 4,053 cases of crime and law violations. Of which, crimes against social order tended to decrease (449 cases detected, down 46 cases compared to the same period in 2018).

Major General Nguyen Huu Cau: Photo: Tien Hung

However, some types of crimes still occur frequently and account for a high proportion in the crime structure, such as: property theft (223 cases = 49.7%), intentional injury (94 cases = 20.9%)... Notably, the police and functional agencies have focused on preventing and fighting fiercely and effectively against some emerging types of crimes, such as: crimes related to "black credit" activities (discovered and handled 14 cases, 37 subjects), high-tech crimes (18 cases, 42 subjects), crimes of child sexual abuse (10 cases, 17 subjects)...

In addition, Nghe An is still a key area of ​​​​complex drug problems. Notably, the situation of drug smuggling across the border has not been completely prevented, synthetic drugs appear more and more, many drug crimes with very large quantities, up to hundreds of kilograms, showing the danger and great potential of this type of crime.

Director of Nghe An Police came to investigate and sympathize with people affected by the hydropower plant's discharge. Photo: Tien Hung

Crimes and violations of economic and environmental laws have been detected and arrested in 2,218 cases, with 2,394 subjects; the main violations are in the fields of land, site clearance compensation, project implementation; violations of fireworks, transportation and trade of smuggled goods, trade of goods of unknown origin, illegal exploitation and transport of minerals, violations of food hygiene and safety regulations, etc.

In general, in the first 6 months of 2019, under the direction of the Ministry of Public Security, Party committees and authorities at all levels and the efforts of the police forces at all levels, the coordination of functional departments, branches and organizations, the crime and violation situation in the province was basically controlled, security and order were ensured, well serving the socio-economic development requirements of the province.

PV: As the Major General said,Nghe AnTo becomplex drug hotspots, so please share more about this type of crime today?

Major General Nguyen Huu Cau:Nghe An is a large province with a land border of 468.2 km, 1 international border gate, 1 national border gate, 3 secondary border gates and hundreds of small-scale roads, bordering 3 provinces of Lao PDR. This is a favorable condition for subjects to smuggle drugs from abroad into Vietnam.

Besides, the number of drug addicts has decreased but is still high. According to statistics, the whole province has 6,823 drug addicts with management records, which is a large drug consumption market. With the current situation of crime and drug abuse, the Ministry of Public Security still identifies Nghe An as one of the key and complicated areas for drugs.

Nghe An police raided a drug trafficking den in the deep forest. Photo: Quynh Trang

In recent years, on average, each year, the authorities have detected and arrested between 1,100 and 1,300 drug-related crimes (with the number of detections and arrests always being higher year after year). In the first 6 months of 2019 alone, Nghe An Provincial Police detected and arrested 726 cases, 876 subjects illegally producing, trading, storing, and transporting drugs, and seized 776 kg of various types of drugs.

Notably, recently, the situation of drug smuggling across the Vietnam - Laos border into Nghe An for consumption or transit to other provinces for consumption continues to be complicated, some drug lines have the participation of foreigners such as Laos, China, Taiwan... The situation of some subjects using synthetic drugs, crystal meth or using many types of drugs that cause strong hallucinations, "stoned", especially among teenagers has tended to increase, some cases causing serious consequences.

Nghe An police counted the evidence in Project 319 T, confiscating 700 kg of crystal meth. Photo: Document

With those characteristics, the fight against drug crimes has always been one of the top priorities that the Party Committee and the Provincial Police Department pay great attention to and direct resolutely. The practice of drug crime prevention and control also shows the efforts, attempts and very good results of Nghe An Police in drug prevention and control; the Drug Crime Investigation Police Force of Nghe An Provincial Police is assessed by the Ministry of Public Security as one of the most methodical and effective crime-fighting forces.

However, compared with the current situation of drug crimes, the requirements for drug prevention and control work are still very difficult and challenging, requiring constant efforts from police forces at all levels, and the participation of the entire political system and the entire population.

PV:Major generalmaybeShare a little about the outstanding achievements of Nghe An Provincial Police in recent times?

Major General Nguyen Huu Cau:To be proactive in attacking and suppressing crimes, Nghe An Provincial Police has advised the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial People's Committee to issue many important directives, mobilizing the participation of sectors and organizations in crime prevention and control, ensuring security and order in the area; at the same time, directing professional forces to synchronously and resolutely deploy solutions in the fight against and suppression of crimes, achieving many outstanding achievements and feats.

Typical in some outstanding aspects of work such as; in the field of fighting against crimes that violate social order: investigated, discovered 466 cases, arrested and handled 677 subjects, confiscated many assets worth about 11.3 billion VND; the rate of investigating ordinary cases reached 84.9%, serious cases reached 100%, not allowing the formation of organized crimes, operating in the style of "mafia".

Crime situation in Nghe An in the first 6 months of the year was basically controlled. Photo: Document

In particular, we have focused on effectively fighting a number of crimes, especially illegal credit activities, crimes in the field of land auctions, crimes using high technology to defraud, appropriating property... to prevent complicated developments. In the first 6 months of 2019, we have eliminated 8 groups, 14 subjects operating loan sharking in civil transactions and 6 groups, 23 subjects committing crimes related to "illegal credit", discovered and prosecuted 2 cases, 2 subjects violating regulations on property auction activities.

Some very serious cases that occurred in the past have been investigated and solved, such as: the murder of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Nhi, Quynh Chau commune, Quynh Luu; the theft of Ngoc Khanh gold shop, Tan Ky district; Bich Hai gold shop, Thai Hoa town...

In the field of drug crime prevention and control, we have detected and arrested 726 cases, 876 subjects illegally producing, trading, storing, and transporting drugs, and seized about 776 kg of various types of drugs.(Compared to the same period in 2018, there were 105 more cases, the amount of drugs seized increased by about 690 kg of various drugs).

Of which, 41 drug trafficking and transporting rings and groups were discovered and eliminated, arresting 72 subjects; there were many large cases and special projects, seizing the largest amount of drugs ever, causing a stir in the whole country. Typical cases include the case of PC04 Department and Quynh Luu District Police arresting 3 subjects for "Illegally transporting drugs, not reporting crimes, extorting property", confiscating 700 kg of crystal meth, 50 loudspeakers, 1 car; the case of PC04 Department of Provincial Police in coordination with Department C04 - Ministry of Public Security, Ha Tinh Provincial Police discovered and arrested 3 subjects for illegally buying, selling, transporting drugs in large quantities from Laos to Vietnam, confiscating 120 heroin cakes; the case of Vinh City Police destroying a drug trafficking ring, arresting 5 subjects, confiscating 20 heroin cakes, 40 kg of synthetic drugs...

In the field of fighting against crimes and violations of laws on economic management order, positions and environment: 2,218 cases were discovered and arrested, 2,394 subjects were arrested, 349.7 kg of explosives; 3.3 tons of firecrackers; 94.34 m³ and 3 tons of wood of all kinds; 33.6 tons of animals; more than 122 thousand cattle and poultry, 40 tons of minerals; the value of smuggled goods is more than 22 billion VND. The highlight is the continued effective fight against corruption crimes (handling 5 cases, 17 defendants, an increase of 2 cases compared to the same period in 2018); effectively handling crimes of sand and gravel mining(4 cases prosecuted, 4 defendants); the fight against crime and fireworks violations was much greater than last year (The whole province discovered and seized 3.3 tons, an increase of 0.8 tons compared to 2018)…

PV:Please share, Major General.sheA little about the goals and tasks of Nghe An Provincial Police in the coming time in fighting crime and maintaining peace in society?

Major General Nguyen Huu Cau:In the coming time, to achieve the goal of Nghe An Police being awarded the Excellent Emulation Flag by the Prime Minister, as a premise for the President to award the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces in 2020, from now until the end of 2019, we will prioritize focusing on directing and implementing a number of key tasks such as continuing to advise the Provincial Party Committee, Provincial People's Council, Provincial People's Committee to effectively direct the implementation of major policies on security and order to mobilize the strength of the entire political system to participate in crime prevention and control.

The focus is on advising the Provincial People's Council to issue a Resolution on preventing and combating human trafficking for the period 2020 - 2025; advising the Provincial People's Committee to issue a Project to improve the effectiveness of transforming areas with complicated social order and safety issues, a Project to arrange regular police to take on the position of Commune Police... Preliminary, summary, inspection, and guidance on topics on preventing and combating drug crimes and human trafficking crimes.

Coordinate with departments, branches and organizations to strengthen propaganda work, mobilize people to actively participate in denouncing crimes associated with launching a mass movement to protect national security, in order to limit the causes and conditions for crime to arise, and at the same time maximize the strength of the people's security posture in crime prevention and control.

Proactively grasp the situation, step up prevention, combat, and suppression of all types of crimes and law violations, especially crimes that take advantage of the summer and tourist season to commit crimes. In particular, strive from now until the end of 2019 to contain and reduce the crime situation and violations of social order by at least 5% compared to 2018; focus on preventive measures and effectively combat emerging crimes that receive public attention, such as: murder, robbery, human trafficking, resisting law enforcement officers, child sexual abuse, etc.

Nghe An police on duty to ensure order on New Year's Eve. Photo: Hai Vuong

Focus on resolutely fighting against crimes using weapons and dangerous weapons, capable of committing serious crimes; professional and mobile gangs; protection rackets, hired killers, criminals in the fields of land auctions, black credit, high technology use... Strengthen professional measures, fight and suppress drug crimes; improve the effectiveness of fighting against crimes against corruption, smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods, crimes and violations of environmental laws, food safety and hygiene, violations of fireworks... ensure security and order, protect a peaceful and happy life for the people.

Provincial Police Director on a working trip. Photo: Tien Hung

Continue to do a good job of receiving and handling crime reports, denunciations and recommendations for prosecution, arresting, detaining and handling criminals, and preventing wrongful convictions. Strive for 100% of crime information to be received promptly, classified accurately and handled in accordance with the law; the rate of handling crime reports, denunciations and recommendations for prosecution will reach over 95%.

Strengthen regular and effective coordination with functional forces (Border Guard, Customs, Coast Guard, Forest Rangers), and prosecution agencies (Procuracy, Court) in the process of detecting, arresting, and handling crimes, ensuring timeliness and effectiveness.

Continue to promote Party building and force building, especially strengthening political and ideological education; focus on management, training and fostering of cadres, striving to achieve the 5 goals“"More disciplined, more dedicated, more polite, more determined, more prestigious" so that Nghe An Police can truly be the core force, the main force, a solid support for the people in the fight against crime, ensuring security and order in the area.