Customs Director Vicente Sanchez Baret described as irresponsible and lacking all proof the accusations made by former Vice President Jaime Fernandez Mirabal regarding rumors of corruption in the Customs Department. He suggested the head of the Corruption Prevention Department appoint the former Vice President to the commission that will investigate corruption in his department. He made the comments after former Vice President Jaime David Fernandez Mirabal urged the Corruption Prevention Department to investigate alleged irregularities at Customs. He spoke on the Seguimiento television program produced by Roberto Santana for Channel 13. He said there are too many people commenting on the under-the-table negotiations going on at Customs. He was referring also to the Association of Customs Brokers claims of rampant corruption at Customs. The director of Customs has denied the accusation, urging the brokers to publish the names of those involved. Meanwhile, Attorney General Virgilio Bello Rosa said he would follow up on the allegations. He said the government seeks to fight corruption at all levels.
