The Department of Customs says it is continuing an investigation into a RD$60 million cargo contraband at the Las Americas International Airport (AILA) cargo terminal. Yesterday, DR1 erroneously reported that this had occurred at the Punta Caucedo port terminal. While Las Americas is located at Punta Caucedo, it should not be confused with the Punta Caucedo Marine Terminal, a nearby private freight cargo terminal, where security is known to be the tightest in the country.
Five police and army officers who worked at AILA were arrested by the Armed Forces for their involvement in a customs tax evasion fraud worth more than RD$60 million. The government intelligence services and the spokesmen for the military have not revealed the names of the personnel accused of fraud.
According to Customs authorities, the suspects used to evade the taxes by reporting merchandise as raw material for free zones and would withdraw them from the warehouses using forged receipts with the complicity of Customs officials.