According to Finance Minister Colm Imbert, thieves broke into transit facilities and seized illegal firearms from packages of interest to international law enforcement.
He was answering Opposition Senator Wade Mark’s urgent question in the Senate at the Red House, Port of Spain, on what steps the Customs and Excise Division was taking to allow citizens to clear their goods in time for Christmas due to port delays.
Imbert said Customs has extended its working hours to 11 p.m. and added workers to deal with Christmas import delays.
He noted that private transit sheds have insufficient area for product inspection.
“We expect 150,000 packages this month, possibly more in November (when there were 167,000), and transit sheds are a problem.
One transit shed was closed because its security systems were non-functional, and unknown people broke in, messed with shipments, and removed items we assume were illegal firearms and ammunition.
That’s one transit shed. That transport shed was unaware that someone had broken in and taken items from their parcels due to faulty security equipment.
The Customs tracked items of interest flagged by international law enforcement as containing illicit weapons at another transit yard, but they disappeared. They remain unfound. That transit shed closed too.
“You see, you never hear about these things because security prevents complete public statements. I felt compelled to express this now. One-handed clapping is impossible.
“The government is doing its best, but couriers don’t want to provide package information and security is poor. We are trying our best, but you are dealing with 150,000 shipments, some of which may contain ammunition, Imbert remarked.
Unfound packages
three months later
Independent Senator Anthony Vieira asked Customs to add transit shelters and staff. Imbert stated the proprietors of the two closed transport sheds took a long time to comply.
“CCTV camera systems are malfunctioning. People enter a transit shed, a bonded warehouse, and remove products. Three months later, the transit shed owners cannot find the packages, which are of interest to international law enforcement.
Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority solves this. That solves it. It’s paradoxical that the Opposition hates the Revenue Authority but wants Customs efficiency, Imbert added.
Besides inadequate space at transit sheds where parcels are cleared, Imbert said there was “the recurring problem where the couriers do not provide advance information on their consignments”.
Even so, he claimed transit sheds now work until 11 p.m.
“Customs officers have been added. The Customs and Excise Division has had to move Customs officials from the luggage hall at Piarco airport to transit sheds to handle these courier parcels, which is causing problems, Imbert added.
He stated that the Minister of Works and Transport sent him a WhatsApp message yesterday morning concerning Customs officials being moved from the baggage hall to the transit sheds.
“Customs are working around the clock and deploying all available officers,” he said.
