Four Chinese nationals are arrested for allegedly transporting smuggled cigarettes through Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: C.A.
The city’s police department confirmed that Lou Shije, 55, Lei Kang, 33, Wang Xiaojin, 35, and He Yuqiang, 42, had been formally charged and placed in temporary detention for allegedly transporting banned goods.
The detention orders were approved by the People’s Procuracy of Region 4 in the city.
On September 10, customs officers at Tan Son Nhat Airport inspected the luggage of the four men and discovered 1,793 cartons of Peony and Chungwa cigarettes.
Authorities determined that the cigarettes had been illegally imported and then transferred the case to the city’s economic police division.
Initial investigations revealed the four suspects were hired to carry the cigarettes for a fee of 800-1,000 yuan (US$119-149) per trip.
Their airfare and accommodations in Vietnam were arranged by unidentified organizers.
On September 10, the group met an unknown individual at column 10 in Terminal 2 of Tan Son Nhat Airport, received luggage containing the cigarettes, and attempted to check them in for transport.
All four admitted they knew the goods were contraband.
Authorities are working to identify the organizers who hired the suspects, handed over the cigarettes, and other individuals involved in the smuggling network.
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