The first quarterly report of the National Commission Against Contraband (CONACON) contains encouraging news: From June to September smuggling has been reduced and customs revenue increased 3%.
In the event during which the report was unveiled, President Otto Perez Molina said that CONACON’s work is important for the government, because it is through this that job losses as a result of the unfair competition posed by this unlawful activity are combated.
CONACON is coordinated by Vice President Roxana Baldetti and integrates with the Ministry of the Interior, National Civil Police, Civil Intelligence Directorate, Ministry of Defence, Public Ministry and the Tax Authority.
As a result of the operations carried out by the Superintendence of Tax Administration to stop smuggling, in recent days there have been two attacks on the customs area of Tecún Umán I, on the border between Guatemala and Mexico.
According to information provided by the Guatemalan authorities, on November 13 and 17, groups of alleged smugglers attacked the customs of Tecún Umán I in San Marcos, because in the operations deployed by the tax authority, merchandise was seized that was not declared upon entry into the country.
Traders require the intervention of the governments of both countries to curb the smuggling of weapons, drugs, migrants and goods.
According to Juan Arnoldo Diaz, president of the Association of Mexican Organized Traders, monthly smuggling between the two countries is worth $800 million.
Guatemala's Conacon estimates that the state loses no less than $1.6 billion a year in unpaid taxes due to contraband.
The information was released by Manuel Chocano, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for the Prevention and Combating of Customs Fraud and Smuggling (Conacon).
Businesses in Guatemala have suggested creating an anti-smuggling unit made up of the Public Ministry and the National Civil Police Force.
The members of the Chamber of Industry of Guatemala (CIG) proposed to the Vice President Roxana Baldetti that a series of measures be taken to combat smuggling, which is affecting trade.
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