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Officials from the San Antonio Regional Customs Directorate inspected a container that sought to enter the country with a declaration of "household items," but upon review, it was detected that it contained different smuggled technology products, which were valued at USD 2,340,838.
"The detection was possible thanks to the work and experience of the inspectors, who selected the cargo for review through various documentary analysis processes and risk profiles. During the corresponding inspection, it was identified that the items found did not match what was declared," communicated the National Customs Service.
"According to the associated documents, the container was supposed to bring TV racks, non-woven bags, and clotheslines, among other products. However, upon verifying the cargo, it was detected that it only included technology items from renowned brands such as Apple, Samsung, JBL, and Xiaomi. These, it is presumed, would be sold in the market," it added.
In total, 364,602 units of these technology products were seized, including 38,000 units of Apple headphones; 40,000 units of TV boxes; 245,000 assembled charging sets; 32,000 charging cables in boxes; 3,000 bulk cables; 5,000 units of Samsung headphones; 1 bicycle; 1 jacket and 1,600 units of JBL headphones.
Additionally, certification labels that the Superintendence of Electricity and Fuels (SEC) requires for this type of merchandise to be sold in formal commerce were found in the container.
Manuel Millones, the Regional Presidential Delegate (DPR) of Valparaíso, highlighted the investigative work of Customs and the "blow to those criminals who try to defraud the State. We need to maintain the good reputation of the Port of San Antonio, we have a lot of foreign trade, this port will grow and we need to maintain that credibility."
"We are doing collaborative work with Customs, with the police, Navy, to make the work of criminals more difficult, not only in smuggling but also in drugs. We are even incorporating customs agents and truckers to establish greater cargo tracking controls," he added.
For his part, the Director of the San Antonio Regional Customs, Ángelo Vergara, detailed that "here there is a risk profiling, an analysis is made based on the dispatch folder and a container is selected. The important thing here is to highlight, as the delegate said, that illegal trade must be attacked, formal trade in Chile must be protected, and in that sense, Customs does this work 365 days a year, and proof of this is that during this year we have already seized more than 2,200,000 units."
The customs authority added that the modus operandi included SEC seals "to give an appearance of legality, therefore there is an organization behind this, this is not just technology smuggling, but what is sought is to defraud people."
"Precisely in the strategy presented by the Minister of Security is the collaborative work between all institutions against organized crime. This is an example of this and especially in our region, which is of vital importance due to its port terminals," stressed the Regional Ministerial Secretary of Security, Hernán Silva.
"The development vocation of our country is associated with maritime transport and we must take care of that trust that all trade agents have to be able to do it safely, both in the entry, exit of products and in the eventual commercialization within the territory," he expanded.
After the detection, the corresponding procedures were activated for infringement of article 168 and subsequent articles of the Customs Ordinance, which sanctions the crime of smuggling.
"Among the multiple roles of the National Customs Service, the safeguarding of maritime borders is fundamental to control and prevent the entry into the country of illegal merchandise that may jeopardize the safety of citizens," detailed the National Customs Service's informative report.
"This work is strengthened through permanent control and inspection, supported by continuous institutional work that allows combating organized crime and illicit networks," it concluded.
