Chilean Customs inspectors seized more than 64 kilos of marijuana and cocaine at the border complex in Ollagüe, Antofagasta Region (north). The drugs were hidden in the tires of a truck that was headed to central Chile.
The Deputy Director of Inspection of the National Customs Service, Javier Uribe, explained that the procedure is part of the role of border and citizen protection in terms of preventing the entry of all types of illicit goods. He also stressed that it is "a system of very particular concealment and its detection reflects the high level of preparation and analysis of our officials.”
Drugs hidden in tires Photo: Chilean Customs
Uribe added that the camioneta left from Paraguay and after travelling more than 1.800 kilometres it was intercepted by customs officers in Ollagüe, who applied risk profiles, observation techniques and non-invasive technology to find the drugs. “Upon detecting irregularities, the inspectors seized the vehicle and detected the presence of contraband in the four tyres the van was travelling on and even in the spare wheel.”
In total they found 44 packages containing 63 kilos 558 grams of pressed marijuana and another package with 957 grams of cocaine hydrochloride. The Value of seized drugs exceeds $320 million in illicit trade.
Once the smuggling was confirmed, customs officers informed prosecutor Raúl Marabolí Salas of the incident, who instructed that those involved and the drugs be handed over to the OS-7 of Carabineros for safekeeping and transfer.
The owner of the vehicle loaded the drugs in Paraguay and his mission was to bring them into the central area of Chile.
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to provide the most relevant knowledge on customs issues in order to contribute to safe trade in the region.
