NewsWhore
01-30-2007, 04:00 PM
The Customs Department has seized 28 freight containers of beans, valued at RD$60 million, which smugglers attempted to import without paying the proper taxes. The beans came from the United States and the shipment was due to pay RD$38 million in taxes. The illegal shipment of beans was found at the Haina Oriental port lumped with a shipment of flour that does not pay tariffs due to a free trade agreement. Beans are subject to a 79% tariff. Listin Diario reports that the person who attempted to smuggle the goods into the country had contacts at the Ministry of Agriculture. Miguel Cocco, Customs Department director, said that since it was the importer's first offense, they would be allowed to just pay the fine. The importer's identity was not revealed. Cocco says that the flour will be donated to local organizations and the beans will be auctioned off with the profits going to the Customs general fund.
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