Talking to the press, Vice Minsiter of Fight Against Smuggling, Luis Velázquez, said that in coordinated efforts with the Armed Forces, the operational arm of the CEO-LCC has gained control of clandestine spots used to smuggle food into the neighboring country.

According to Velásquez, in the last two weeks the militarization at borders “is stopping the smuggling in reverse” (illegal export of food to neighboring countries where it is usually sold at much higher prices).

The armed forces have already confiscated 400 thousand units of eggs, approximately 1,400 quintals of rice; 70 of quinoa, 250 of sugar and six thousand liters of oil.

“We are reinforcing the control points to guarantee better results”, the vice minister stressed before the media.

Velásquez explained that the military have been deployed in 22 points of Oruro and La Paz, including in Desaguadero.

According to the Ministry of Defense, there 2,100 troopers have been mobilized on the borders with the mission of combating reverse smuggling.

National products such as sugar, rice and meat, among others, are illegally sold at a higher price in markets in Brazil, Chile, Peru and Argentina, which results in an increase in prices in the domestic market.

ied/arc/jpm