Bolivian lorry driver detained with US$50,000 hidden at Chile's Chungará border
Two Bolivian lorries were inspected at the Chungará border complex: one carrying more than US$50,000 undeclared and another with nearly 50,000 units of medicines.
Two operations in Chungará expose irregularities by Bolivian lorry drivers
Officials from the Arica Regional Customs Authority detected more than US$50,000 hidden amongst the belongings of a Bolivian lorry driver and a shipment of nearly 50,000 units of medicines and cosmetics undeclared in another lorry, according to information from reduno.com.bo. One of the drivers was detained; the other fled during the operation.
The first procedure began when a customs officer asked the driver of a Bolivian lorry whether he was transporting currency exceeding US$10,000, the legal threshold requiring declaration to prevent money laundering. The man denied carrying money.
After inspecting the cabin, officers found a bag hidden amongst his clothing containing US$30,000 in cash. When questioned again, the lorry driver handed over a second bag with an additional US$20,000. The total seized amounted to US$50,000, 575,000 Chilean pesos and 1,450 Bolivianos, all without the corresponding customs declaration.
The currency was retained in accordance with article 168 bis of the Chilean Customs Ordinance. The driver was taken into custody and the court determined monthly signature as a precautionary measure.
The second operation involved a different Bolivian lorry. During inspection, officials identified merchandise absent from the country's exit documentation: 47,890 units of generic medicines and 2,176 additional units of branded medicines. The shipment also included muscle patches, salves, body creams and sun protection products.
The driver of this second vehicle fled whilst the inspection was underway. Customs proceeded with the seizure of both the merchandise and the lorry.
The scale and variety of the shipment raised alerts concerning the irregular transport of products that do not demonstrate compliance with current Chilean customs and health requirements.
James Alarcón, regional director of Arica Customs, highlighted the work of specialised inspection teams and noted that these controls make it possible to identify situations that may affect border security and put people's health at risk.
Source: Google News BO — Crime