A millionaire cigarette smuggling gang was detected by inspectors of the National Customs Service at the Quillagua outpost in northern Chile. The illicit merchandise was hidden in a refrigerated semi-trailer that was carrying Peruvian avocados from Arica to Santiago, the customs agency reported.
El Regional Director of the Iquique Customs, Cristian Molina Silva, reported that thanks to the use of risk profiles and non-invasive technology, they were able to avoid tax evasion of $81.030.263 corresponding to the taxes they sought to avoid with smuggled cigarettes.
He added that "At the Quillagua outpost, a driver from Arica showed up with his trailer loaded with 24 thousand kilos of Peruvian avocado. The vehicle was subjected to a Inspection by institutional scanner truck, immediately detecting the presence of undeclared merchandise and illicit trade".
Although the driver initially denied transporting contraband, later and in light of the evidence he admitted that he received the cigarettes in Arica and would be paid $2 million to take them to Santiago.
"In total 28.500 cigarette packs were seized of the brands Jaisalmer and Carnival Blue, which were inside cardboard boxes similar to those used to transport vegetables. The evasion exceeds $81 million and both the truck and the semi-trailer were seized, while the avocados were transferred to another vehicle to continue their final destination.“to,” said Molina Silva.
The driver was warned for the crime of smuggling and will have to face the respective complaint and lawsuit, where in addition to fines and prison sentences, he risks the confiscation and auction of his truck and trailer.
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