On October 1, 2026, the Lao Cai Border Guard announced the seizure of a truck carrying a large quantity of smuggled cigarettes. The operation was conducted in collaboration with local police, targeting illegal transportation activities from Hanoi to Lao Cai.

At approximately 5 AM on September 29, border guards, along with the Economic Police Department and local police, stopped a truck with license plate 29C-889.83 on Chiềng On Road, Cam Duong Ward. The vehicle was driven by Trần Quang Khải, a 1989-born resident of Long Bien, Hanoi.

Upon inspection, authorities discovered 34 cardboard boxes filled with a significant amount of foreign-made cigarettes. The total count amounted to 21,000 packs, featuring brands such as Hehua, Chungwa, Dachongjiu, and Harmonization. All packaging was marked in foreign languages, primarily Chinese and English, and lacked any import stamps.

During the inspection, driver Trần Quang Khải admitted to transporting the cigarettes but could not provide any legal documentation proving their origin. Consequently, the Lao Cai Border Guard recorded the incident and detained Khải along with the truck and its cargo for further investigation and legal action.

Authorities noted that the smuggled cigarettes were likely transported through various areas, with the truck typically traveling during the early morning hours and using less populated routes to evade detection.

The investigation is ongoing, with efforts to track the supply chain and prevent further smuggling activities in the region.