The National Customs Directorate (DNA) achieved a historic seizure of cigarettes in an operation carried out in the town of José Enrique Rodódepartment of Soriano, where They seized almost 4.5 million units, with an estimated value of more than US$1,300,000 (more than 55 million Uruguayan pesos). The operation was carried out at a roadblock, where the truck driver tried to evade the control by deviating a few meters before the inspection point, but he was quickly intercepted.
The shipment, of foreign origin, would have been introduced into the country by river via the Uruguay River from Argentina. According to the first hypotheses handled by the authorities, the cigarettes would have been collected on the Uruguayan coast. and then be transported to the metropolitan area, destined for the illegal market.
The procedure was carried out by the Customs Response and Intelligence Group (GRIA) and the Customs Mobile Surveillance Division of the DNA, with the support of the Soriano Police Headquarters. The route control, carried out in the last few hours, resulted in the seizure of a million-dollar shipment of cigarettes in a truck with Argentine registration.
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When trying to evade control, the driver was intercepted at a short distance and, when inspected, did not present documentation proving the legal entry of the merchandise into the national territory. As a result, a more exhaustive inspection was ordered, which took the vehicle to the Port of Montevideo for analysis by scanner.
The scan revealed the presence of hidden packages inside the truck, so a complete physical inspection was carried out. In the vehicle, 112 packages were found, packaged in black and taped bags, containing Gift and 51 brand cigarettes.
A historic seizure
In total, 3,460,000 Gift brand cigarettes and 1,000,000 brand 51 cigarettes were seized, reaching a total of 4,460,000 units.. This seizure becomes one of the largest in the history of the country. According to the preliminary assessment carried out by the DNA, the shipment, together with the truck and the semi-trailer, has an estimated commercial value of 55,500,000 Uruguayan pesos.
Detention and judicial monitoring
The 1st Shift Legal Prosecutor’s Office of Mercedes ordered the seizure of the merchandise and the vehicle, in addition to the arrest of the driver, who is detained and at the disposal of justice. The investigation remains ongoing to determine the scope of the smuggling operation.
This blow to smuggling is considered a significant advance in the fight against illegal trade of products in Uruguay and an example of coordinated work between customs and police authorities.
