Customs officer suspected of helping smugglers bring iPhones into Vietnam

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Customs officer suspected of helping smugglers bring iPhones into Vietnam

Thanh Nien News
HO CHI MINH CITY - Saturday, January 31, 2015 08:00

Le Nguyen Thi Ai Tram, an officer with Tan Son Nhat International Airport's customs department, was accused of helping electronics smugglers. Photo credit: HCMC police

Police in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday took into custody a customs officer on suspicion that she cleared hundreds of electronic products allegedly smuggled from Hong Kong without checking them.

Le Nguyen Thi Ai Tram, 37, working at Tan Son Nhat Airport’s customs department, was arrested two weeks after police busted the transport of 844 gadgets, including many iPhones and iPads, local media reported.

Police discovered suspicious packages with no signs of being cleared by customs on a mini bus, soon after they had left a warehouse of the airport.

Initial findings show that the products, which were valued at more than VND10 billion ($462,700), were smuggled into the country by air by Phan Quang Vinh, 32, and Phan Thi Da Huong, 33.

The two suspects, already arrested, were believed to have asked Tram to let the packages go through.

Investigation continues.