Four containers with 1 million 150 thousand packets of contraband cigarettes were seized by inspectors from the National Customs Service in Colchane and the port of Iquique. It is the largest detection of the year and sought to evade taxes for almost 2 billion pesos, reported the entity.
El Regional Director of the Iquique Customs, Cristian Molina Silva, stressed that the procedures reflect the degree of preparation of the operational teams and the networking of the Risk Analysis Units.
El first case It was recorded during the control of incoming cargo at the Colchane border complex. The Bolivian EPM driver presented himself for inspection at that location, stating that he was transporting a container of sawn wood destined for Cuba.At the site there were different variables that activated a more in-depth review and it was found that behind the wood there were a total of 345 thousand packs of cigarettes of the brands Hills Blue, Carnival Silver, Fox, KP and Carnival Blue, which attempted to evade $595 million in taxes”, Molina said.
In the same way it was outlined another truck which was also supposedly bound for Cuba and other cargo was found underneath and in the middle of the ship 305 thousand packs of cigarettes of the brands Hills Blue, Carnival Silver, Hills and Carnival Blue, whose tax evasion would reach $526.375.380.
In addition to the cigarettes, the two Volvo trucks and their semi-trailers were seized, while the drivers and their representatives were reported to the Public Prosecutor's Office.
In parallel and thanks to a joint effort between the Risk Analysis Units of the National Customs Directorate and the Iquique analysts The sTracking of two containers coming from South Korea to Chile with an alleged load of used clothing and shoes for the Free Trade Zone.
Upon arrival in Iquique, traceability was generated and through the institutional scanner truck It was found that the Two containers were loaded with bales of clothing at their entrance alone, and behind them there was a total of 500 thousand cartons. of the IF brand, whose tax evasion was calculated at $862.901.453.
"These are high-volume procedures where other loads and routes are also involved to try to hinder inspection. All of this shows that We are facing international criminal organizations with great logistical capacity., which do not hesitate to put the health of the community at risk with products of unknown origin and even linked to other irregular activities“, Molina Silva added.
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