Members of the Customs Agency (DGA) seized a freight container that originated in Brooklyn, New York, and its contents: over three million cigarettes and thousands of rounds of ammunition. The false customs declaration stated the container contained “different packages, including household goods, PPE (Personal Protection Equipment), and other stuff.” The 6,000 rounds of ammunition were for pistols (9mm) and shotguns (12, 16, and 20 gauge).
According to the DGA, the total customs bill would have been over RD$16 million.
It should be noted that there has been an increasing incidence of contraband cigarettes during the year, as reports of seizures along the border with Haiti continue to appear almost weekly.
The Customs Agency reports having seized 67 million cigarettes in 2024 that would have evaded taxes of RD$394 million.
Diario Libre editorializes on how the import and local sales of ammunition is an issue of national security.
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DGA
El Dia
Hoy
Diario Libre
2 January 2025