On 15/4, Market Management Team No. 21, in coordination with the Economic Police Department (PC03), inspected two ships, PL28 and BY27, at Sao Mai port in Vung Tau ward, Ho Chi Minh City.

During the inspection, authorities recorded a total of 10,018 liters of diesel oil without clear origin or provenance. Specifically, ship PL28 contained 2,006 liters, and ship BY27 held 8,012 liters. The two ship captains admitted to illegally trading oil of unknown origin and operating without the required licenses.

Authorities fined the captain of ship PL28 50 million dong and confiscated all contraband. For ship BY27, the case was transferred to competent authorities, who will impose a 115 million dong fine and confiscate over 8,000 liters of oil.

Smuggled oil found on a ship in Vung Tau ward, Ho Chi Minh City. *Photo: HCMC Market Management*.

According to authorities, oil smuggling activities tend to increase amid high domestic and international fuel prices. In the price adjustment period on 16/4, oil prices decreased by 1,920-2,280 dong per liter, but prices remain high. Specifically, diesel was 31,040 dong and fuel oil was 20,330 dong.

Also during the peak market inspection period, authorities discovered other violations. Previously, Market Management Team No. 9 inspected a cosmetic business, confiscating 5,664 bottles of smuggled shower gel, without invoices or documents, totaling over 283 million dong.

Market Management authorities stated they will continue to intensify inspections and strictly penalize violations to stabilize the market and protect consumers.

Thi Ha