With five days to go before the transfer of power to the new Government, Guillermo Michel presented this Tuesday (05.11.2023) the balance of his management at Customs, whose leadership He took office in mid-2022. The report's salient data included the following:
Customs personnel
Michel highlighted the great work of the customs staff across Spain, assuring that “without their professionalism none of this would have been possible. Their commitment has been fundamental to protect national production and employment, from Ushuaia to La Quiaca and from Bernardo de Irigoyen to Paso Dorotea”. In addition, he pointed out that “the results are the result of having bet on the career staff, with heads who, on average, have been in the organization for more than 20 years.”
Control
The official highlighted the control carried out on actors who used foreign trade operations for financial speculation: thus, Customs filed complaints for underbilling of exports for an amount of USD 1.540 million and complaints for about invoicing of imports totaling USD 1.240 billion.
Donation and auctions
On the other hand, he pointed out that the organization donated merchandise valued at $4.600 billion, with a historic donation of USD 284 million as a milestone. Precisely, one of the main commitments of Michel's administration has been to ensure that the infringing goods seized by the State are returned to society in a beneficial manner, integrating a virtuous circle. Thus, he coordinates with other entities of the National Public Administration the delivery of the goods that can be donated within the framework of Law 25.603.
Additionally, electronic auctions of seized merchandise have raised more than $ 720 million.
Healthcare
Another of his initiatives was the creation of the Customs Health Assistance Table, which assists individuals, companies and NGOs in the importation of health-related supplies. To date, the Board has intervened in 1.800 cases, with an average resolution time of no more than 48 hours - of course, without ignoring the due control processes.
Fight against drug trafficking
In terms of combating drug trafficking, there were also outstanding results, with kidnappings of more than 2.900 kg of cocaine (an increase of 46% compared to the previous 18 months), more than 7.500 kg of Coca leaves (increase of 2.400%), more than 6.400 kg of GBL (also known as “the date rape drug”, there were no previous seizures of this substance) and more than 25.000 kg of chemical precursors (10.900%).
Equipment
In addition, after 9 years without purchasing scanners, Customs incorporated 44 X-ray machines of the latest generation, to strengthen control without neglecting the agility of international trade. It should be noted, Customs The decision was made to scan all containers from Paraguay bound for Europe, which is why drug trafficking changed its route to the Old Continent. In effect, as a result of this measure, drugs began to leave for Europe from the port of Montevideo and cocaine discoveries in the port of Buenos Aires were reduced to zero. In this context, Michel points out that, in the Province of Entre Ríos alone, Customs has more scanners than in all of Uruguay.
The policy of reinforcing the equipment of the organization was also expressed in the updating of its vehicle fleet, with the purchase of 124 0 km vehicles. This meant the renewal of 32% of the fleet of vehicles at customs in the interior of Argentina.
Precautionary measures and SIRA
According to the management balance sheet, the 4.500 injunctions against the agency, which amounted to a total value of USD 3.000 billion, were reduced to zero, relying on a joint, rapid-reaction judicial strategy.
Michel considered that "the renewal of the import system, with the arrival of the SIRA instead of SIMIs gave greater traceability to the merchandise, strengthening the control capacity."
Dog management
Regarding the canine program, the report noted that it was expanded, with the creation of 3 new centers training and 145 binomials active, compared to 122 at the end of 2022.
Cultural heritage
Finally, Michel highlighted the enhancement of the cultural heritage of the organization, with profound renovations in the Customs Palace de Azopardo 350. In fact, the central headquarters saw the reopening of its two central courtyards and the creation of a dining room for the organization's staff, in addition to the creation of two museums, in Buenos Aires and Gualeguaychú.
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