The Coast Guard Zone 3 has for many years fought criminals in the country’s East and Southeast sea, especially drug and fuel smugglers. The tough conditions at sea have forced Vietnamese naval guards to come up with brave and inventive ways to fight maritime crimes.

In 2017 and 2018, the Coast Guard Zone 3 High Command tackled more than 22 fuel smuggling cases in Vietnamese waters, including several foreign vessels illegally bringing oil to sell to Vietnamese ships. Crime fighting poses a range of risks and hardship. Some cases require months to follow. And it is even worse in bad weather conditions since this is when criminals tend to strike. During the first three months of the year only, the high command has handled at least six fuel and firecracker smuggling cases. But there is still so much to be done. The east and southeast waters are located right on the international sea route with huge flow of vessels every day, which is also a big area for marine criminals. It is the bravery and resilience of officials and soldiers of the Coast Guard Zone 3 that puts fear into the black, disgusting and depraved hearts of criminals.-VNA