The General Directorate of Customs (DGA), Through its Intelligence Management, it has intensified the detection of illegal imports of goods for commercial purposes, including nutritional supplements, ammunition, military supplies and weapons.
Among the most relevant withholdings so far this year are 236 air conditioners and 306 televisions, in which an attempt was made to evade the payment of RD$3,499,367.00 in taxes.
Likewise, more than 9,000 personal care products were seized —mainly creams and perfumes—, 2,297 nutritional supplements, more than 60,000 kilos of used clothing and 462 pairs of tennis shoes.
The authorities also seized $196,000 that was intended to be illegally introduced into the country.
In other actions, the DGA seized 15,798 cigarettes, seven firearms, 40,880 ammunition, 75 alcoholic beverages, 50 military supplies, 27 vehicle parts and nine vehicles, among other items.
As a result of these findings, the Intelligence Management carried out three raids and four controlled deliveries, in addition to the arrest of one person, while investigations remain ongoing.
Customs confronts illegal trade and evasion by seizing hundreds of thousands of merchandise so far this year
Among the ammunition seized were gunpowder for cartridges, pellets of different calibers and gun parts. As for military equipment, bulletproof vests, binoculars, military-type caps and insignia, katanas, crossbows and hydrogel guns were seized.
The goods were detained for having been imported with false declarations or for not having the required permits for their introduction into the country, especially in the case of consumer and pharmaceutical products.
The operations were carried out in the Administration of Haina, Puerto Plata and in the cargo area of the Las Américas International Airport.
With these actions, the DGA seeks to prevent these items from reaching the streets of the Dominican Republic and reaffirms its commitment to continue strengthening intelligence efforts to stop illicit trade and irregular imports.
