Cigarette smuggling and commercial premises without sanitary permits are a constant in the operations carried out by the Ministry of Health in the Metropolitan region.
According to the Metropolitan Regional Director of Health, Israel Cedeño, in its most recent operation, on Thursday night in the district of Betania, Los Libertadores sector, the Health team inspected and verified compliance with sanitary standards at 21 establishments.
And he stressed that they continue to find restaurants, barbershops, clinics, mini supermarkets or grocery stores without sanitary permits, with expired permits or certificates and in the last three operations an increase in contraband cigarettes.
He said seized contraband cigarettes and other tobacco products fraudulently sold on premises were destroyed on site by the team of inspectors.
“The premises that we have found with contraband cigarette products are being referred to the Metropolitan region for a more severe sanction, while those with expired sanitary certificates and permits are sanctioned, sent to the corresponding Health Center and given a specific time for them to start the renewal process,” he explained.