Senae investigates people who sell contraband goods online

Smuggling through social networking is a new way to evade customs controls, as reported by the authorities of the National Customs Service (Senae for its Spanish acronym). One person was arrested while trying to enter as baggage, goods that had been sold through a website.

The intervention director of Senae Max Aguirre, said the suspect was offering the seized products through her website and social networks. “She entered products as personal-use property, which according to the rules can not be traded,” he said.

But it is not the only case, Senae is investigating at least 60 other people who constantly travel abroad and announce their arrival and even promote the products they bring, through various social.

The methodology goes like this: after offering the product, the buyer must pay the amount through a bank transaction, then the merchandise is shipped to the buyer. Banking transactions allow authorities to identity those involved in this form of smuggling.

So far in 2014, the National Customs Service has seized more than $ 14 million in contraband goods and expects the figure to rise by 10% with the new controls.