CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT RECEIVES EQUIPMENT TO ASSIST IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CONTRABAND

January 23, 2007

The Customs Investigation Unit of the Customs and Excise Department this morning was the recipient of equipment to assist in the fight against contraband. The donation was made by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Anti-Contraband Committee at a cost of six thousand Belize dollars.Comptroller of Customs Gregory Gibson said this donation signifies the support they are getting from the business community.

Gregory Gibson: Comptroller of Customs

“This donation is another step reflecting the ongoing efforts in the back ground the address the contraband issue. An effort which made by the sharing of information a continuous dialogue and the best way forward in addressing the side effects of the contraband.  But it also reflects to officers the physical support from the Contraband Committee and the business community that they recognize the hostilities and the difficulties in the fight against contraband.”

The contraband hot spots continue to be the Orange Walk and Corozal Districts.Gibson says with the new gear and equipment Customs will be able to continue their work even under attack.

Gregory Gibson: Comptroller of Customs

“Primarily we intend to use these areas in the hot beds of the contraband, talking about the river area of Orange Walk we are talking about the Corozal Area and the Consejo Area. We must recognized while Belizean are a peaceful set of people overall you have hostile elements and we may also be running into elements who may be involved in other activities beside contraband or may be involved in drugs. So the equipment will be used in that regard and to some extent give the officers a better chance of surviving in a fairly dangerous environment. We get primarily assistance from the Coast Guard from the Belize Defense Force and from the Police Force at all times.”

Gibson says that many times his men have been fired by the contrabandistas in the area.  Official estimates from customs officials are that the government of Belize is losing over sixty-five million dollars in revenue. On the other hand, the local businessesare claming a one million dollars loss due to contraband business.General Manager for the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kevin Herrera says they plan to continue assisting the customs department in every way possible.

Kevin Herrera:General Manager- Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry

“We have been dealing with this situation for a long time over a year now through the Anti Contraband Committee. As you are aware the contraband situation as been affecting legitimate businesses both importers and producers so to date we have spent about thirty thousand dollars on this effort, six thousand today and then you may be aware that we have had a prolong campaign throughout the country educating people about the negative effects of contraband. I guess the Anti Contraband Committee is dealing with the issues and as the needs for more resources come from departments such as the Customs we work with a lot, I think that they will make that type of decision. Of course we have to raise this money through the kind support of our members but once we know that the Customs Department needs we go to our members and ask for contributions.” 

Since last year the Anti-Contraband committee has been working to fight the contraband business.Herrera says the work has proved well but much more needs to be done.

Kevin Herrera: General Manager- Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry

“The effect had a really very positive effect in fact and in other areas more modestly so but in some areas people have said that their sales have gone up over a hundred percent in certain cases, and in other cases very minimal. It seems as if though there’s a relation with the type of items and the value of those items  and where they are coming from and that type of thing.”

Gibson says the situation continues to be challenging but with the help of the Anti-Contraband Committee they commit to do their best.

Gregory Gibson: Comptroller of Customs

“Well the situation continues to be a very difficult one and we continue to address it with the resources that we have available. In 2006 we opened a department in Orange Walk District to address particularly the contraband that is strictly there on a twenty four hour bases to address the contraband issue be it that the rivers or along the highways. We are also planning to improve on that effort in 2007 in also taking it up to the free zone area if here are leakages in that area also. It is not a situation of winning the battle it’s a war that we are looking at, from day to day we find ways of addressing the situation and I would say based on the number of cases we had over the last year we continue to improve in our information gathering and technology and again with the support of other agencies such as the Police the Belize Defense Force I think we are making a big difference in the fight.”

Gibson says there was a great improvement during the Christmas Season.

|

|