Merchants support DGA crackdown on television and cigarette smuggling

The National Organization of Commercial Enterprises (ONEC) expressed its support for the actions carried out by the General Directorate of Customs (DGA), together with the Public Ministry, which allowed for the seizure of goods allegedly introduced irregularly into the country through the Caucedo Multimodal Port and prevented fiscal losses exceeding RD$42.2 million.

The organization positively valued the strengthening of control, surveillance, and intelligence mechanisms implemented by the authorities to detect operations linked to illicit trade and prevent goods from entering the national market in violation of customs and tax provisions.

Within the framework of these actions, the General Directorate of Customs estimated that the import duties and taxes associated with the seized goods amounted to RD$42,254,853.26, of which RD$32,179,370 correspond to one of the containers and RD$10,075,483.26 to the second.

The ONEC considered that these types of actions represent an important step to preserve the formality of trade and protect companies that comply with their legal, tax, and customs obligations, against practices that generate unfair competition and affect the performance of the formal economy.

Likewise, the guild highlighted the importance of coordination between State institutions to strengthen the prevention and prosecution of smuggling, as well as to ensure that import processes are carried out under conditions of transparency, legality, and equity.

“From ONEC, we support these operations that strengthen controls against illicit trade and contribute to ensuring fair competition conditions for companies that operate formally. Combating smuggling not only protects state revenues, but also safeguards businesses that comply with regulations and consumers,” stated Ernesto Martínez, president of ONEC.

The business organization also expressed its expectation that this seizure will culminate in the corresponding prosecution of the facts and, in accordance with due process and applicable legal provisions, in a final judgment against those found responsible.

ONEC reiterates its firm commitment to fair competition and to the defense of a business environment based on respect for regulations and equitable competitive conditions.