Customs Bust at a dumpsite

Miguel Segura

Customs officers at the Northern Border made a huge bust early this morning. It happened at around six-thirty and involved a dump truck. Acting on a tip, the truck was detected and followed as it crossed the border and made its way to a dumpsite about one mile and a half from the border. Three persons were in the vehicle; when they realized they were being tailed by Customs, they attempted to crush the goods in the vehicle but authorities moved in on them and confiscated fifty cases of beer, three cases of cigarettes, twenty four cases of red back cheese, two cases of wine and three cases of assorted liquor, likely purchased in the Free Zone. The three men, residents of Corozal, were detained and are expected to be fined in the range of eighty-thousand dollars. Customs have been especially vigilant this Christmas, and reportedly narrowly missed another contraband bust yesterday. Reports are that a Police vehicle was spotted loading up with liquor at the zone, but bypassed the check-point and left through the container section, evading customs. Acting Commissioner Miguel Segura says it’s all just an allegation, and if Customs know something, they should act on it.

Miguel Segura, Acting Commissioner of Police

“Yesterday, I was informed about an incident. But similarly I am always guided by the evidence. The leading agency in this case would be customs and if they have the evidence like they did in Arenal, by all means. So I am guided by the evidence. If there is the evidence, then they need to bring it forward. And if it is internal, there is a process how we go about doing it; the disciplinary [actions] as I explained it the last time. So Customs is the lead agency; if they have the evidence they go and deal with the case. But basically it is allegations thus far; in the absence of showing the evidence to me. I can ask you to direct these things to the right agents which would be Customs.”

This is the second alleged contraband incident involving Police. One week ago three Police officers were allegedly busted with contraband beer on the Arenal Road. That matter was settled out of court.