The Superintendence of Tax Administration (SAT) reported this Monday, May 11, that in the last two months more than 10 incidents related to the attempt to illegally enter weapons into the country have been detected. mainly through parcel containers that enter through sea ports.
The superintendent of the SAT, Werner Ovalle, indicated that among the seizures are AK-47 rifles, ammunition and magazines, located through reinforced controls, risk analysis and the use of technology installed in customs.
According to Ovalle, the alerts arise from national and international coordination, as well as from risk profiles built by tax and security authorities.
“These alerts come from warnings at the national and international level,” explained the official during an interview on Prensa Libre Radio.
The head of the SAT pointed out that scanners and X-ray equipment have been installed in ports that allow containers to be inspected without the need for full physical inspections, which has facilitated the detection of illicit goods.
“Technology is an important instrument for customs,” said Ovalle, who added that personnel have received training from international agencies to strengthen the interpretation of images and control processes.
The SAT indicated that the controls are carried out in coordination with the Public Ministry (MP), the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of National Defense and other institutions linked to security and foreign trade.
Ovalle clarified that it is up to the MP to determine if there is a relationship between these shipments and criminal structures.
“It is a job that corresponds to the Public Ministry to detect and determine the links that may exist with different criminal structures,” he indicated.
From the customs field, he explained, the SAT focuses on identifying irregularities in merchandise and making the findings available to the competent authorities.
The official pointed out that illicit structures seek to take advantage of the growth of international trade and the high flow of cargo to try to introduce prohibited goods into the country.
“They are using the containers that bring parcels,” he said.
Ovalle added that the authorities have strengthened risk management and preventive mechanisms to anticipate possible threats.
“Strengthening the preventive system allows us to anticipate these risks,” he noted.
The superintendent highlighted that there are permanent coordination with agencies of the United States Government, which has allowed us to improve the response capacity in the ports.
The SAT also reported that task forces for trade facilitation are operating in Santo Tomás de Castilla, Puerto Quetzal and La Aurora International Airport, made up of several State institutions.
According to Ovalle, these actions seek to guarantee more effective controls without affecting legal trade.
“The objective is to have safe trade with our main trading partner,” he stated.
In addition, 2 hoppers and 937 ammunition of different calibers. In the last week, in that same port, police personnel have located about 35 firearms, including rifles, shotguns and pistols, in addition to 599 ammunition and 15 hoppers, all without legal documentation.#WeareComplying pic.twitter.com/3IfzfUAVSi
— MinGob (@mingobguate) May 11, 2026
Illegal weapons were located in a parcel box in Santo Tomás de Castilla, Puerto Barrios, #Izabal. Police of #SGAIA of the @PNCdeGuatemala They inspected a van from the US and seized 4 .22 caliber rifles, a 12 gauge shotgun and 2 pistols. pic.twitter.com/b78na3so37
— MinGob (@mingobguate) May 11, 2026
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