This morning the Customs Department received a donation of bulletproof vests and 2 cordless search lights. The gifts came from the Chamber of Commerce's Anti-Contraband Committee and they'll be used by the department's investigation unit. CIU, as it is called, is a team of 14 customs officer trained to tactically hunt, track down, and catch contrabandidos - especially in the north. The donation costs about $6,000 but with millions being lost annually - Chamber General Manager Kevin Herrera says it was a good investment for the Chamber. We also spoke to Comptroller of Customs Gregory Gibson.
Kevin Herrera, General Manager - Chamber of Commerce
"We believe that the contraband situation is very large. Millions of dollars are being lost not only by the private sector but also by government through a loss of taxation every year and so this was an effort to try to better equip the Customs Department to address this situation."
Gregory Gibson, Comptroller of Customs
"These vests will be used primarily in the hotbeds of contraband that we are talking about, Orange Walk and in rural areas, the river edge, the Corozal-Consejo area and the villages. We have to recognize that while Belizeans are generally a peaceful people, there are elements in the contraband districts who have also been involved with other greater levels of illegal activities who are hostile and resort to other methods or means to get their trade to their benefit."
The Custom Department's CIU has a total of 14 officers - 7 in the north and 7 in the city.
