Organised crime advances in Chile: experts demand more technology at borders
60% of cigarettes consumed in Chile in 2026 would be contraband. Specialists demand strengthened controls with scanners and X-rays.
Smuggling and drug trafficking pressure border controls in Chile
The growing sophistication of organised crime is increasing pressure on ports, border crossings and logistics centres in Chile, according to a report published this Thursday by adnradio.cl.
Data from the tobacco industry cited in the report indicate that 60% of cigarettes consumed in the country during 2026 would come from smuggling. At the same time, Carabineros is reported to have seized more than 26 tonnes of drugs in the Antofagasta Region, a territory that would account for approximately 70% of seizures at the national level.
Faced with this scenario, specialists warn that strengthening physical inspections alone would be insufficient. The alternative they propose is to expand the use of non-intrusive inspection technologies: scanners, X-rays and image processing platforms capable of analysing vehicles, luggage and containers without the need to open them physically.
Tomás Vergara, commercial manager at Aerotech, clarified that "the main challenge is not inspecting 100% of cargo, but using technology to focus resources where there is a greater probability of risk". According to Vergara, these tools provide relevant information and strengthen the response capacity of the institutions involved.
The company emphasised that effectiveness does not depend on an isolated piece of equipment, but on the integration of different solutions. "The objective is not to inspect everything. The objective is to identify better, decide better and act better," they stated, clarifying that technology can increase control without affecting the flow of legitimate logistics operations.
Chile already employs these systems at ports and borders, but experts maintain that their implementation must be accompanied by training, inter-institutional coordination and ongoing maintenance. "Technology delivers its greatest value when it is effectively integrated into operations," concluded Vergara, who highlighted the need to keep current capabilities updated in the face of constantly evolving threats.
Source: Google News CL — Crime