The Fiscal Control Police (PCF) seized nearly 156,000 units of contraband merchandise between Tuesday, October 27, and Friday, October 30, in Puntarenas, in operations that detected products without proof of tax payment or legal purchase and without the labeling required by the Ministry of Health.
Most of the seized goods corresponded to 100,000 cigarettes found on Friday inside a vehicle belonging to a courier company. The agents inspected the packages after noticing that one was wrapped with an adhesive tape frequently used on Arab perfumery products.
When they asked the driver to open one of the bundles, they verified that both that package and the others contained cigarettes. The find was one of the largest seizures of the week.
Medications and sweets among the seized products
The first operation took place on Tuesday in various locations in Buenos Aires de Puntarenas, where officers seized 6,300 units of liquor transported in vehicles without the documentation required for their importation or commercialization.
One day later, the PCF and the Public Force seized more than 46,300 units of merchandise in Golfito. 62% of the total were medications and 32% were sweets; personal care items and freezers were also retained.
The products could pose a risk to public health if they reached the market without the corresponding sanitary permits, according to…
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Agents found 100,000 cigarettes inside a courier company vehicle. (Courtesy: Ministry of Finance)
The Fiscal Control Police (PCF) seized nearly 156,000 units of smuggled merchandise between Tuesday the 27th and Friday the 30th of October in Puntarenas, in operations that detected products without proof of tax payment or legal purchase and lacking the labeling required by the Ministry of Health.
Most of the seized goods consisted of 100,000 cigarettes found on Friday inside a courier company vehicle. Agents inspected the packages after noticing that one was wrapped with adhesive tape commonly used on Arab perfumery products. When they asked the driver to open one of the bundles, they confirmed that both that package and the others contained cigarettes. The find was one of the largest seizures of the week.
The first operation took place on Tuesday in various locations in Buenos Aires de Puntarenas, where officers seized 6,300 units of liquor transported in vehicles without the documentation required for their importation or commercialization. A day later, the PCF and the Public Force seized more than 46,300 units of merchandise in Golfito. 62% of the total were medicines and 32% were sweets; personal care items and freezers were also retained.
The Fiscal Control Police seized nearly 156,000 units of smuggled merchandise in Puntarenas. (Courtesy: Ministry of Finance)
According to the Ministry of Finance, the products could pose a risk to public health if they reached the market without the corresponding health permits. The lack of labeling was another of the violations detected during the inspections.
On Thursday, a new deployment in Golfito allowed the seizure of 3,400 items, including cosmetics, spare parts, liquor, clothing, and home appliances.
Deputy Minister of Revenue Víctor Carvajal stated that the results reflect the institutional commitment to combating smuggling. "We will not allow illegal trade to endanger the health of the population, affect public resources, and harm merchants who comply with their obligations," he said.
The Ministry of Finance reminded citizens that they can report possible cases of smuggling and tax evasion through the "Denuncie Ya" (Report Now) option, available on its website, or by calling the Fiscal Control Police at 2539-6800.
Seizures of smuggled products in Costa Rica activate a procedure involving the Fiscal Control Police (PCF), the Border Police, and the Public Force. The merchandise remains under state custody while authorities determine its origin, its health condition, and any potential failure to meet tax obligations. The seizure can occur at border posts, on roads, in businesses, or in warehouses.
After the operation, agents transfer the products to warehouses of the General Directorate of Customs or to authorized facilities for safekeeping, counting, and inventory. The duration of the process depends on the volume and type of goods seized.
In larger shipments, authorities must classify each product, verify quantities, and document the conditions in which it was found. This control makes it possible to establish whether the merchandise entered the country undeclared, whether it evaded tax payment, or whether it lacks the permits required for its commercialization.
Authorities seized 3,400 items including cosmetics, spare parts, and home appliances during an inspection in Golfito. (Courtesy: Ministry of Finance)
The Fiscal Control Police coordinates its actions with other institutions, depending on the type of merchandise. Cases involving food, dairy products, medicines, or other sensitive products require additional controls. The competent entities review health permits and phytosanitary and zoosanitary regulations. They also evaluate whether the items meet the conditions necessary for their consumption or distribution in the Costa Rican market.
When products are unfit for human consumption, lack traceability, or lack health controls, authorities may order their destruction or disposal. The measure seeks to prevent merchandise without safety guarantees from reaching businesses or consumers.
The final destination of the goods will depend on the results of the legal, tax, and health review carried out by the institutions in charge of the case.