The creation of a new policy against smuggling in Guatemala, based on the results observed in recent years, began to structure in order to establish a robust institutional framework.
The first steps for the construction of this policy began to execute between the members of the Interinstitutional Commission against smuggling and customs fraud (coincon), and are based on the accumulated experience during the last decade in the fight of this scourge.
The proposal will be prepared jointly between the members that make up the coincide, both at the institutional level and with the representation of the productive sectors, with the objective of presenting a policy that responds to the needs to structurally address the problem.
Edwin Curtidor Juárez, mayor of Customs of the Superintendence of Tax Administration (SAT), declared that smuggling is not limited to seizures of seized goods, but that actions that generate a perception of risk and promote voluntary compliance with the payment of taxes must be implemented. However, he indicated that the phenomenon is structural, since the development of border territories must also be approached, especially through employment generation and the formalization of work.
He explained that, having occupational occupation in the areas adjacent to the borders – he said as an example the installation of factories in Tecún Umán, San Marcos -, people would get rid of these activities, which also involves the organized private sector.
“Smuggling is not limited to seizures of seized goods, but actions that generate a perception of risk and promote voluntary compliance with the payment of taxes must be implemented.”
EDWIN CURTADOR JUÁREZ, Customs Mayor
The official added that the new policy will have a structural approach to the institutions that must intervene, such as the Ministries of the Interior, Defense and Health, among others. This will include provisions on the permanent allocation of funds and resources, as well as the creation of an institutional group with immediate media availability. Currently, applications must be paid for the case of case, and what is sought is an immediate response capacity with guaranteed resources.
He exemplified that, during the operations, the National Civil Police (PNC) should have resources such as fuels and patrols, as well as with intelligence instruments for the exchange of information, since it is a transnational and regional phenomenon.
The National Prevention and Combat policy of fraud and customs smuggling would be valid for 10 years.
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From January to April of this year, the Intendance of Customs made adjustments paid for Q168 million to goods detected with mismatches, amount covered by the owners of the goods in the customs enclosures.
In addition, merchandise seizures in customs total a value of Q18.9 million and complaints have been filed for customs fraud for Q27.7 million.
The mayor added that a larger smuggling pattern has been identified by using up to 53 feet, as well as modified vehicles, which enter by blind points from Mexico, mainly for the transfer of grocery products.