The highway checkpoints in the Special Surveillance Perimeter, coordinated by Customs, within the framework of the Regional Roundtable against Organized Crime, included the deployment of public services and police to strengthen the prevention and detection of illegal activities in different parts of the region.
More than 800 inspected vehicles are part of the results of the inter-institutional operations that were carried out at the northern access to the Coquimbo Region within the framework of the Regional Roundtable against Organized Crime, prior to the start of the National Holidays, as part of a deployment aimed at preventing the entry and circulation of illicit goods to the Coquimbo Region and their transfer to the central zone of the country.
The operations were supported by specialized officials from the Valparaíso region, and reinforced with canine units and Non-Invasive Technology in order to strengthen the roadside operations carried out in the Customs Special Surveillance Perimeter (PVE).
The inter-institutional coordination led by Customs, within the Special Surveillance Perimeter, allowed for the integration of its institutional capabilities with those of the Carabineros (Chilean National Police), the Investigations Police (PDI), and the Internal Revenue Service (SII). The deployment included control measures in the Limarí and Choapa areas, in addition to the main operation established in the northern part of the region.
The Regional Presidential Delegate, Víctor Pino Fuentes, stated that “the Coquimbo region is an important transit area to the central zone of the country, mainly for goods coming from northern Chile. Therefore, during these operations, Customs, Carabineros (Chilean National Police), and the PDI (Chilean Investigative Police) worked together to search for contraband, fugitives from justice, and undocumented migrants. President José Antonio Kast asked us to deploy resources throughout the region, and we are therefore making every effort, both human and technical, to provide greater security for our people so they can enjoy these National Holidays as much as possible with their loved ones and, most importantly, with the security we so desperately need.”
Within the framework of the procedures carried out, 802 vehicle inspections were performed, 724 identity checks were conducted, 98 traffic violations were issued, 4 complaints were filed under the immigration law, 11 violations were issued for the transport of merchandise without the corresponding tax documentation, background information that was referred to the Internal Revenue Service for the procedures of its competence; one person was detained by current order; one person was detained for transporting species in a closed season and one complaint was filed for transporting copper without a delivery note.
According to the Regional Director of Customs, Alejandra Marguirott, the coordination between the different services made it possible to strengthen preventive control on the routes and address illegal activities from the competencies of each institution.
“These operations allow us to combine the capabilities and experience of Customs with those of each institution to strengthen preventative controls in strategic areas and deliver a more effective response to illicit activities that, due to their complexity, require an inter-institutional approach. Customs is coordinating this work and contributing its enhanced inspection capabilities to promptly detect smuggling and other infractions, especially during a period of increased movement, thus protecting the safety and health of individuals, as well as legitimate trade.”
For her part, the Regional Secretary of Security for the Coquimbo Region, María José Duarte, stated that “these three days of intensive inspections at the Elqui Police Station, carried out in conjunction with Customs, the Investigative Police (PDI), and the Internal Revenue Service, have yielded very positive results and concrete outcomes. With this strategic inter-institutional collaboration, we want to send a clear and forceful message: the State is present, coordinated, and resolute, deploying all its capabilities to confront organized crime head-on in our region.”
Lieutenant Colonel José Ramírez, of the Coquimbo Carabineros Prefecture, stated that “we are participating in an operation involving Customs, the Investigations Police, and the Carabineros of Chile, and its purpose is to provide security to our community through highway checkpoints. It is important to remember that our region is a known transit point where a number of illegal activities typically converge, and these preventative actions aim to detect crimes and remove lawbreakers from circulation.”
The Special Customs Surveillance Perimeters allow for the transfer of customs inspection and control capabilities to strategic points within the territory. This coordinated action aims to detect illicit goods and other situations that could affect security before they can be transported to other areas of the region. The plan also included the coordinated activation of devices in Limarí and Choapa, according to operational needs.