Two crew members of an interprovincial bus They modified the structure of the vehicle to hide 208 cartons of cigarettes smuggling. The merchandise was destined for Antofagasta and was intercepted thanks to the supervisory action of officials of the National Customs Service at the Quillagua outpost in Chile.
The Regional Director of the Iquique Customs Office, Cristian Molina Silva, said that the procedure was recorded during the early morning hours at the control of an interprovincial bus traveling from Arica to Antofagasta.During the search circuit, irregularities were detected in the structure, which is why Using a fiberscope, the existence of a false wall that was used to hide the contraband was confirmed.«.
Evidence of irregularities in the structure. Photo: Chilean Customs
The capacity established that the merchandiseThey tried to avoid $5.823.148 in taxes.
The two drivers admitted to being the owners of the cigarettes and both were charged with the crime of smuggling because they hid the merchandise, which also lacked any documentation that could prove its legal importation into the country.
Offenders risk imprisonment and fines ranging from one to five times the value of the goods.
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