AN GIANG: A vessel carrying 20 tonnes of sugar of unknown origin has been intercepted by maritime agencies off the coast of the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of An Giang, local authorities said on Tuesday (Aug 11).
At around 2.40am on Aug 11, a task force comprising personnel from the Dong Nai City-based Intelligence Division No. 2 of the Coast Guard, An Giang Border Guard Command, and Ha Tien International Border Gate Border Guard Station detected a suspicious vessel eight nautical miles northeast of Cape Nai.
On board were its captain, Van Thanh Nhon, 54, of An Giang Province and one crew member.
Nhon failed to furnish documents proving the legal origin of the sugar while the crew member lacked the professional qualifications required under the law.
Officers made out an initial violation report, seized the vessel, and took it to the port of Ha Tien International Border Gate.
Authorities are conducting further investigations.
The inspection was done as part of efforts to combat illegal border crossings, waterway smuggling, and trade fraud.
Intelligence Division No. 2 is responsible for monitoring the sea between the south-central province of Dak Lak and An Giang Province, including the Truong (Spratly) islands to combat national security crimes, smuggling, and others. — Vietnam News/ANN
