The National Customs Service of Chile detected 250 thousand packets of contraband cigarettes, hidden inside two trucks loaded with sugar, in the border complex of Chungará (Arica Region), which represents an estimated tax evasion that exceeds $ 526 millones (U.S. $ one thousand 751 ), the entity reported this Wednesday (12.05.2021/XNUMX/XNUMX).
In this regard, the Regional Director of the Arica Customs, Fernando Rousseau Amigo, said that during the control work on the loads entering and leaving Chile, two Bolivian trucks loaded with sugar were identified. He explained that The first one came in free transit from the Guabira sugar mill in Santa Cruz bound for Colombia.However, an inconsistency was noticed. After coordination with Bolivian Customs, the container was opened. In addition to the 506 bags of extra-fine sugar, inspectors found 160 undeclared packs of cigarettes of the Carnival Green, Silver, Red and Blu, Esse Change, Gift and Pine brands.
The Regional Director commented: “Later, under the same dynamic, Another truck was intercepted that was also carrying sugar from Santa Cruz, whose destination was a soft drink bottling plant in Arica.. Upon opening the container, it was found that on top of the sugar sacks there were 90 thousand cigarette packs, 24 bottles of Singani liquor of 750 ml each and 96 bottles of Huari beer.”
Fernando Rousseau added that it is estimated that the smuggled cigarettes would have been unloaded in a plot or warehouse in Arica to later try to introduce them to the black market. If they had been sold, the tax loss would have been more than 526 million pesos (US$ 751 thousand).
The agency announced that the transporters involved were charged with the crime of smuggling. Meanwhile, the illegal cargo and their trucks were seized. In turn, complaints will be filed against them and they risk million-dollar fines and prison sentences.
"To transport the trucks from Chungará to Arica, the National Customs Service had the escort of a team of carabineros from OS-9," the statement said.
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