Customs Dock in PG Remains Closed

All ports of entry, including harbours, are closed under the existing statutory instrument. And police are deployed at various hot spots along the borders to prevent the entry of contraband goods and the spread of the novel coronavirus by border jumpers.  When News Five spoke with Gilbert Gordon, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, earlier today, he informed that the customs dock in Punta Gorda had in fact been declared administratively closed several weeks ago.

Chester Williams

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“You would know that under the new regulations which were signed, the quarantine regulation, it removed the provision that the SOE regulation had in terms of contraband goods and border jumping.  But it still has the issue of the ports being closed, save and except for.  So in the morning, I communicated with Mr. Griffith, the comptroller of customs, and I briefed him on what had transpired and right away he said, “Commissioner, Punta Gorda port is closed so there is no way that anybody should be bringing in any cargo or anything through that port because that port is closed.”  And he offered his full support to the police in investigating this matter.  We went through the investigation and we found out who is the importer of the cargo and the importer of the cargo has said to us that it was the officer in charge of the customs port in Punta Gorda that authorized him to bring the vessel to that port with a view to get the goods into Punta Gorda Town.  So based on that, I also directed that the port commander be detained and they should be charged today.  I know yesterday the seven individuals were charged under the quarantine regulation for failure to wear a face mask.  The customs officer was not charged for that because he did have on a mask.  The customs officers, both customs officers, the one who is in charge and the one who was on spot, will be charged for inciting the illegal entry of the vessel into the country.”