Seized smuggled firecrackers (Photo: VNA)Nam Dinh (VNA) - Police will launch campaigns to deter violations related to firecrackers, weapons, explosive materials and similar items in key border areas to assure a safe and peaceful Tet holiday, the Ministry of Public Security said.
Speaking at the conference held in northern Nam Dinh province on December 21, General Phan Van Vinh, head of the ministry's General Department of Police, said that violations of these issues have become complicated, especially when the lunar New Year festival approaches.
The use of banned weapons for personal purposes is an emerging issue, with several recent attacks on leaders of authorised agencies or the manufacturing of weapons, he said.
Thus, going forward, the ministry plans to mobilise police to patrol and deter the trading of firecrackers, weapons and explosive materials.
It also asked local police to strengthen dissemination regarding the ban on these materials. Business households were required to make a commitment to obey the regulations and were encouraged to hand over banned goods to police offices.
Figures from the ministry showed that this year, the police asked the public to hand over nearly 6,490 guns, 45 bombs, 14,100 grenades and more than 600kg of explosives.
More than 600 cases of firecracker violations were detected since earlier this year. As many as 458 people were arrested, and over 14,100kg of firecrackers were seized.
In the northern mountainous province of Lai Chau, local police have tightened control over firecracker smuggling from the Chinese border.
The police, in co-operation with customs officials, plan to be on-duty at border gates, bus stations and local markets to watch for firecracker smugglers.
As of November, four cases of illegal firecracker trading were discovered. Three people were prosecuted and police seized more than 123kg of firecrackers.
In northern Thai Binh province, local police have managed to encourage people to hand over a mine, two grenades, a handmade gun, 20 swords and 43 firecrackers earlier this month.
The provincial traffic police will patrol the 10km-long part of the National Highway No.10 in the province to crack down on violators.-VNA
