Drugs in Export Cargo: And the Scanners?

Another case of drugs found in cargo which came from Costa Rica highlights the imperative need to improve controls and implement the use of scanners at export ports.

Friday, September 2, 2016

EDITORIAL

How many more drugs have to be found in commercial export cargo before the authorities in Costa Rica put into operation the scanners which were donated by the Chinese government eight years ago?

Despite the growing infiltration of drug trafficking in the export process, the machines remain unused.  Every case of drugs detected in countries which are destinations for Costa Rican exports negatively impacts not only the export guild, but also the country's image as well as national security.

Using scanners in the ports in Limon and reactivating inspection mechanisms that used to be used to control cargo containers are some of the measures the government is asking of the agro-export sector in order to identify potential drug shipments hidden in their merchandise.

Laura Bonilla, president of Cadexco, told Crhoy.com that "... 'These events do not just negatively impact the country's image in our major export destinations. They are also evidence of the high incidence of organized crime, making this situation a problem that not only affects the export sector, but also one of national security'."

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More on this topic

Costa Rica: Exports, Insecurity and Drug Trafficking

September 2016

Added to the factors already deteriorating competitiveness in the export sector are increased thefts of merchandise on the country's roads and infiltration of drug trafficking in exports.

The National Chamber of Cargo Carriers (Canatrac) reports that attacks on trucks on roads in the country have increased since 2012. They state    "... on average 12 assaults used to be committed per year, however the figure has risen to 20 in recent years'."

Drugs Found Again in Exports from Costa Rica

August 2016

In a Coca Cola factory in France 370 kilos of cocaine were discovered hidden in a shipment of orange juice from Costa Rica.

The event has brought back to the table discussion in Costa Rica on the issue of implementation of controls to prevent export cargos from being used for drug  smuggling to Europe and the United States, the main destinations of Costa Rica's foreign trade.  

Agroexporters Ask For Drug Detecting Scanners

August 2015

In Costa Rica scanners donated by China in 2008 remain unused, while exporting businesses are warning of the growing infiltration of drug trafficking in the sector.

Using scanners at the ports of Limon and reactivating inspection mechanisms that were used before to control cargo in containers, are part of the measures the agro-export sector is asking of the government in order to identify potential drugs hidden in shipments of merchandise.

Costa Rica: Drugs in Pineapple Containers

May 2014

Costs will increase for exporters because of attempts to prevent their containers of fruits, tubers and ornamental plants exported to Europe from being used to transport drugs.

In Europe seizures of drugs hidden in Costa Rican agricultural exports have concerned the agro-export sector, which is demanding greater security controls and processes in shipping goods overseas, both for the measures carried out in the country as well as those carried out once borders have been crossed, explained industry representatives.

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