By Sebastián Betancourt
A series of anti-drug operations carried out by regulatory entities in the Port of Arica are affecting the movement of Bolivian goods.
The situation was denounced by authorities and representatives of the exporting sector of the altiplano country, who warned that these measures are causing economic damages and logistical complications for their productive activity.
The president of the Cochabamba Exporters Chamber (Cadexco), Juan Carlos Ávila, reported to Bolivian media that “unnecessary delays are being generated, seals are being broken, and samples are taking a long time in their analysis. This is causing great harm to the exporting sector.”
Ávila added that “to the extent that these damages are generated, we are ceasing to generate foreign currency income for Bolivia. The rolling, storage, and screenings are generating unnecessary additional costs that we must assume as exporters.”
For his part, the deputy from Cochabamba, Luis Laredo, explained that “when a logistics chain becomes unpredictable, the problem ceases to be sectoral and becomes a matter of national interest. The State must guarantee legal security, predictability, and conditions for Bolivian production to reach the world.”
In this context, after being consulted by PortalPortuario, the general manager of the Empresa Portuaria Arica (EPA), Jorge Cáceres, indicated that neither the state-owned company nor the concessionaire Terminal Puerto Arica (TPA) are responsible for conducting inspections, controls, or laboratory analyses associated with the cargo transiting through the facility.
“These procedures correspond exclusively to agencies of the State of Chile, within the framework of their legal attributions. In particular, the Servicio Nacional de Aduanas is the competent entity in matters of customs oversight and foreign trade control. Likewise, depending on the type of cargo, other public agencies with specific competencies may intervene,” explained the executive.
Cáceres stated that, in the Port of Arica, two main types of control are carried out that strengthen the security of the port-logistics system.
“Customs has a scanner inside the terminal, which allows for non-invasive inspections of containers and trucks, based on intelligence information,” said the general manager.
Cáceres added that “if observations are detected, a physical inspection can be ordered, which involves processes of deconsolidation and subsequent consolidation of the cargo, whose execution time is variable and can, in some cases, affect the scheduling of shipments.”
Additionally, the executive explained that there are controls ordered by the Ministerio Público, which can be executed by Customs or the Maritime Authority.
These procedures, which include laboratory analysis or other specific reviews, may extend the usual deadlines and eventually require the rescheduling of container shipments.
“Precisely, the ability of our agencies to detect illicit substances is one of the main virtues of the Port of Arica, making it an efficient terminal that stands out for its port security and the prevention of illicit activities,” commented Cáceres.
For his part, the general manager of Terminal Puerto Arica (TPA), Camilo Jobet, stated that the Port of Arica not only drives economic development but also positions itself as a reliable and secure link within the logistics chain of the Andean macrozone.
“At Terminal Puerto Arica we operate with high standards of efficiency. However, it is important to highlight that the inspection processes carried out by State agencies are fundamental to safeguarding the security of the port system. These actions, although they may imply longer times in some cases, are part of a work that strengthens the reliability of the port and its role as a secure platform for foreign trade,” emphasized Jobet.
It is worth remembering that, in line with the inspection work carried out at the maritime facility, a joint effort by the Arica Prosecutor’s Office, Maritime Police, Carabineros, Customs, and the Investigative Police (PDI) allowed the seizure of a Bolivian shipment containing cocaine and ketamine.
The operation led to the capture, in total, of 68,726 kilograms of illegal substances destined for ports in Germany, Italy, and Mexico. In detail, of the total intercepted merchandise, 24,500 kilograms correspond to products with cocaine and ketamine, while 44,226 kilograms are items contaminated exclusively with ketamine.
