Provincial police said 12 ships had been docked for illegally exploiting sand in the bay from Hon Gai City. — Photo kienthuc

Provincial police said 12 ships had been docked for illegally exploiting sand in the bay from Hon Gai City.

The ships were caught using pumps to suck sand up from the ocean bed.

The captains and crew members of the vessels did not have any documents or licences for sand mining, police said.

Drivers and crew members told the police they had hired workers to exploit sand to sell to projects in the province.

Also on Tuesday, Ha Noi Police seized two boats involved in illegal sand mining in the Hong (Red) River.

To deal with illegal sand exploitation, the People's Committee has instructed authorities in cities, districts and communes to strengthen inspections and punish violators accordingly. — VNS