Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hailed the role of the army incombating smuggling, trade fraud and crime in recent years, helpingensure political security, social order and safety during ateleconference held on March 27 by the Defence Ministry.

The event was to review operations to fight drug trafficking,smuggling and trade fraud before, during and after the Lunar New Year(Tet) holiday.

In the last three months, the armedforces detected and handled 3,942 cases involving 6,780 suspects, a dropof 652 cases and 855 suspects from the same period in 2014. Legalproceedings also commenced on 445 cases against 500 suspects, a rise of190 cases and 178 suspects.

The forces also appliedadministrative fines on 980 cases and collected over 10 billion VND(460,000 USD) as well as razed 44 drug trafficking cases, seizing 67.3kilograms of heroin and 40,702 kilograms of meth.

Nearly 1,200 smuggling and trade fraud cases were detected, 804 cases more than the same period in 2014.

However, Deputy PM Phuc, who is also Head of the Steering Committeefor Prevention and Control of Smuggling, Trade Fraud and FakeCommodities, said the results remained modest as armed drug transport inborder areas remains high, especially on the Vietnam-Laos border.

Illegal transport and trade of wine, beverages, cigarettes and woodalong border areas passing Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Quang Tri and An Giangprovinces continue, as does illegal fuel trade.

He also pointed out that coordination between armed forces and security forces has been poor.

The Deputy PM urged for increased determination, organisationalrestructuring and human resources training to enhance the capacity ofsoldiers and officials in fighting criminals.

Healso asked the Defence Ministry to strengthen its supervision over entryand exit activities at the border, as well as closer cooperationbetween the ministry, other forces and localities.-VNA