Overview
- Federal agencies intercepted approximately 19,779.5 kilos of illicit tobacco at the Mexico City International Airport between December 22 and January 3, equivalent to about 954,380 packs.
- Authorities value the seized product at roughly 70.7 million pesos and estimate the action prevented about 16.22 million pesos in IEPS tax evasion.
- The contraband arrived in six consignments from Narita, Japan, detected during targeted cargo inspections.
- Investigators identified tactics including false declarations, undervaluation, altered air waybills, and the mixing of illicit shipments with legitimate freight to pass customs controls.
- Semar, SSPC, AICM Customs, the National Guard, Defense, and the FGR took part with support from Japanese authorities, and the investigation into importers and distribution channels remains active.