The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Customs on March 10 began criminal proceedings against a man caught trafficking diamonds at Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
On January 17, customs officers found Luu Chi Hung, arriving on a flight from Hong Kong to HCMC, carrying hundreds of precious stones, 10 bracelets, two necklaces, and a pair of earrings, without declaring the goods.
On January 28, it was confirmed that the precious stones were diamonds, worth more than VND7.17 billion. The rest of the items were made of 57 percent gold, worth nearly VND175 million.
Mr. Hung was unable to produce documentation showing he was legally allowed to transport the jewelry.
In related news, HCMC’s Market Control Department on March 10 found three shops selling fake watches at the Saigon Square 2 shopping center, located on Ton Duc Thang Street, and at Ben Thanh Market in the city’s District 1.
Inspectors seized 558 counterfeit watches, all made in China, which were being sold under famous brand names.