4.5 million smuggled cigarettes and 961 televisions seized

The General Directorate of Customs (DGA), together with the Public Prosecutor’s Office, seized a shipment of goods allegedly brought into the country irregularly during an operation carried out at the Caucedo Multimodal Port, an action that prevented fiscal losses exceeding RD$42.2 million in import duties and taxes.

The discovery included 4.5 million Jaisalmer brand cigarettes and 961 televisions of various brands and sizes, goods whose actual contents did not correspond with the documentation presented to customs authorities.

During the inspections, carried out in accordance with the procedures established in current legislation, the acting teams detected inconsistencies in the physical content of two containers, which led to the seizure of the goods.

According to the institution’s preliminary estimates, in one of the containers the associated import duties and taxes amount to RD$32,179,370.00, while the goods found in the second represent RD$10,075,483.26, for a total of RD$42,254,853.26.

The operation was the result of the work of the DGA’s Intelligence and Oversight areas, with the support of the Public Ministry, through the Unit for the Prevention and Prosecution of Smuggling (UNIP-ERCON), allowing for the identification and seizure of a significant shipment allegedly linked to illicit trade activities before its entry into the national market.

With these actions, the entity reaffirms the effectiveness of the control, surveillance, and intelligence mechanisms implemented, while maintaining a zero-tolerance policy against smuggling, customs fraud, tax evasion, and other practices that affect the national economy and generate unfair competition in formal trade.

This operation constitutes the best response to any type of dissemination of false information targeting the institution.  

Thus confirming the approach that the authorities have to strengthen their surveillance and control strategy to confront networks dedicated to illicit trade and ensure compliance with the regulations governing commercial exchange in the country.