The Custom’s Agency (DGA) has found and confiscated a shipment of 8,381 cell phones of different models and brands that were being smuggled into the country. The shipment is estimated to be worth RD$300 million.
In a press release, the DGA detailed that the operation was using fake documentation to avoid paying duty. The imports were being passed through as if they components for a free zone industry.
At the press conference, the director general of Customs, Enrique A. Ramírez Paniagua, said that the contraband operation was detected on last Friday, 8 September at the Las Americas International Airport. In the shipment, five rifles and three pistols were also found.
Ramirez Paniagua said that it was a case of fraud and that the Public Prosecution Service had been informed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The shipment of cell phones, firearms and hundreds of parts for telephones arrived in six pallets addressed to the duty free industry “Auxiliares Textiles, S. A.” The pallet was identified as textiles only. However, the Custom’s official noticed the unusual method of packing used in the container, alerting the officials to check the contents.
Customs agents found 2,467 Samsung Galaxy phones, 2,363 LG, 204 IPhone, 1976 Alcatel, 741 ZTE, 30 Huawei, 304 HTC, 192 Kyocera, 20 Sony Xperia and 84 Moto E4, for a total of 8,381 cell phones. In additions there were 9,524 screens for cell phones, 222 tablets, 1,553 USB memory sticks, 343 cell phone batteries, 239 chargers, 13 Smart Watches, and two security camera systems.
According to Customs Agency, the shipment arrived via the couriers Cargamar SRL. and LaserPaq SRL. The first has been suspended and the second lacks a license.
Read more in Spanish:
Diario Libre
El Nacional
12 September 2017
