A customs official checks passengers' luggage at Noi Bai International Airport. The airport will step up efforts to combat smuggling, which is predicted to increase as Tet approaches. — VNA/VNS Photo Pham Hau

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Ha Noi Customs Department has told officials at Noi Bai International Airport to step up efforts to combat smuggling, which generally rises as Tet (Lunar New Year) approaches.

Smuggling and trade fraud would become more sophisticated, especially when the new airport terminal opened in January, said Nguyen Duc Minh, deputy head of the airport's customs unit.

The airport has become a hotbed for smugglers, especially drug traffickers, he said.

Apart from developing a plan to reduce illegal transporting, the airport would add about 60 more customs officials to increase supervision of imported and exported goods, he said.

Airport customs officials would also co-ordinate with agencies such as the Northern Airport Authority, Ha Noi police and the Ministry of Public Securities.

The Noi Bai customs unit has handled 315 cases of smuggling and trade fraud so far this year. — VNS