The Director of Customs, Vicente Sanchez Baret, revealed that ?millions of pesos? in customs duties, taxes, storage charges and currency exchange fees remain unpaid. ?There?s nothing for the importers to do, but settle the accounts,? he said. The problem is a leftover from the Fernandez administration, according to Sanchez Baret, and must end because ?the law doesn?t authorize us? to finance anyone?s obligations. He emphasized that he was not necessarily speaking of ?evasions? or ?contraband,? but simply normal imports by reputable businesses that have run up huge bills. Sanchez Baret would not divulge any names, but said ?I told one importer who came to see me yesterday that if he doesn?t pay the millions he owes right away, I will make his name public.?
