As part of the search and control operations carried out by the Colombian Navy in the Pacific, more than 17 tons of smuggled merchandise were found by troops, with an estimated cost of more than 200 million pesos, including clothing, perfumery and lotions, which were found by troops inside a container, in the Puerto Industrial Aguadulce Company, in Buenaventura.
According to the investigations, the container was loaded in the free trade zone of the city of Colón, in Panama, and subsequently, it was transported on a container ship to the port of Buenaventura. Upon arrival in Colombian territory, this container was identified as a possible transport of contraband merchandise, which activated the protocols of the Buenaventura Coast Guard Station.
After verifying the information and obtaining the authorization for the opening of the container, crew members of the Buenaventura Coast Guard Station, in coordination with officials of the National Tax and Customs Directorate - DIAN and personnel of the Industrial Port, proceeded to inspect the cargo. 585 boxes were found by troops inside, containing merchandise of foreign origin, without the proper import permits and without the corresponding payment of customs taxes.
The material found, with a total weight of 17,186 kilograms, did not have the documentation sought for its legal entry into the country, nor for its commercialization in the Colombian market. In addition, by not complying with tax obligations, a violation of current customs regulations is configured, which could lead to sanctions and corrective measures by the authorities.
The merchandise was put into custody of the DIAN, to conduct the corresponding administrative procedures.
Source: Press – Navy of Colombia
