Whistle Blower

The Customs Intelligence Unit is stepping up its surveillance to apprehend individuals and consortiums smuggling goods in and out of the island.



The Customs Intelligence Unit is stepping up its surveillance to apprehend individuals and consortiums smuggling goods in and out of the island. Officials on Wednesday said the unit is now trying to entice more people to come forward with information that will help track down offenders.

The unit has been apprehending over 12 cases a month since 1998, based on tip offs from the public.

Arrests based on tip-offs account for some 10 percent cases persecuted by the Customs Department.

For their good work, informants get a cut of over 25 percent of the value of the goods apprehended.

Customs Department officials however say that most callers give too little info, making it difficult to track down violations.

Officials say they need specifics, for example for an individual carrying goods into the country without paying customs duties, the unit requires the flight number, passenger name and passport number along with any other information they have.