Illegal imports of agricultural products in Arica and Parinacota revealed

The Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG) of the Arica and Parinacota region (Chile) discovered an illegal operation in the Los Industriales area following an anonymous tip-off. At this location, an illegal warehouse was found containing 11.5 tons of agricultural products that represented a serious phytosanitary risk, introduced into the country through unauthorised routes.

 

During the inspection by SAG, several indications were identified that pointed to the foreign origin of the merchandise: the specific phenotypic characteristics of the products, the labels on the boxes and the total absence of documents that could verify the origin of these foods, including tree tomatoes, passion fruit, passion fruit, bananas, papayas, tamarinds, carambolas, pitahayas, potatoes and yams.

 

 

 

SAG stressed the importance of citizen collaboration to combat pests such as fruit flies, encouraging people to make anonymous reports without fear.

 

 

 

In a separate but related event, during the night, at the Cuya phytosanitary checkpoint, SAG personnel stopped a truck carrying 5,500 kilos of imported fruit (watermelons and tomatoes). However, it was discovered that it was actually carrying 14,000 kilos of high sanitary risk products (including pomegranates, papayas and pitahayas) smuggled into the country. Given the risk of cross-contamination with pests, it was decided to confiscate the entire cargo.