Rebound in Smuggling Forecasted

In Guatemala, food and beverage businessmen estimate that product smuggling during the end of 2018 will increase more than reported in previous years.

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Complaints by Guatemalan businessmen regarding the illicit marketing of different types of products have been a constant in recent years. Long-standing calculations detail that of every ten products sold in the country, three are of illegal origin.

See "The Scourge of Smuggling"

Regarding the legal proceedings taken, representatives of the Guatemalan Chamber of Food and Beverages (CGAB) reported that during 2018, four criminal structures engaged in smuggling products have been reported to the Public Ministry (MP).

Also see "Unstoppable Smuggling in the Northern Triangle"

Regarding the way in which the facilities operate, the Anti-Contraband Observatory has detected that "... in these networks there are people who transport the product from Mexico to Guatemala, then store it, adulterate it and make maquila. In some cases, these are stolen goods. Among the people who pack it there are formal businesses that use their own brands to disguise the products."

Enrique Lacs, CEO of CGAB, explained to Elperiodico.com.gt that "... other industries participating in the OCC are alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and toilet paper that for the Christmas season there is always a strong increase, but this year they expect it to be greater. That makes sense because the economy is a little down or slowing down. There is a correlation between the economic need and this smuggling, we feel there is a new momentum."

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