Drugs and Internet Devices Seized from Cuba Travelers
Fabian Flores (Cafe Fuerte)
HAVANA TIMES — If you travel to Cuba this summer, be sure you know the contents of any package someone asks you to carry in your luggage for them. Cuban customs authorities are now on the lookout and you could suddenly find yourself in a tight spot.
Cuban customs recently divulged further information on its current battle against packages for third parties, issuing warnings about cases in which drugs and Internet communication equipment were seized from the luggage of travelers.
In a video made for Cuban television and uploaded to the webpage of Cuban customs, authorities reveal that, of the 19 cases of drug smuggling reported this year by the Jose Marti International Airport, 13 involved packages sent by third parties.
The figure is high if we consider it was issued before the end of the first half of the year. In 2013, Cuban customs detected and frustrated 43 attempts to introduce drugs into the country, 35 of which involved operations at Havana’s airport.
“We’ve found that the drugs are being concealed in toys, ceramic objects and flashlight batteries,” said Jorge Jimenez Cabrera, head of customs at Terminal 3 of the Jose Marti International Airport.
Drugs in Household Appliances
Cuban authorities have also found drugs in household appliances, personal hygiene products, computer desk shelves and packaged food products.
Anti-drug efforts are coupled with a hunt for any devices that could be used to skirt restrictions on Internet use on the island.
“Authorities have seized satellite reception system, wireless communication devices, Wi-Fi systems and systems for interconnecting networks,” Jimenez Cabrera added during a television interview.
Drugs and Internet connection technologies are two of the main targets in Cuba’s current customs searches. In the report, Maydel Tarre Cala, head of legal affairs for customs, explained that, following the detection of such violations, the cases would be referred to the competent authorities, and travelers could be charged as accomplices or the perpetrators of acts contraband or drug trafficking.
The issue was discussed by the Commission for Constitutional and Juridical Affairs, which convened prior to the plenary session of the legislature on Saturday. Drug trafficking, the trafficking of hard currency and precious metals and the contraband of cultural heritage items, were among the chief crimes included in a report drawn up by customs, in conjunction with Cuba’s National Revolutionary Police (PNR), in connection with the fight against these criminal activities at the country’s different points of entry.
Two Women From Miami
Only a week ago, on June 28, two women from Miami were arrested upon arrival on charges of attempting to introduce marihuana into the country through packages they carried for third parties. The two are in a Cuban prison waiting for their cases to be cleared up.
Customs Resolution 24/2007 establishes that travelers are not authorized to carry items for third parties, unless these abide by current legislation. Those who risk transporting such items assume the administrative and legal repercussions stemming from the nature of their contents.
Tarre Cala explained that, following the detection of such violations, the cases would be referred to the competent authorities, and travelers could be charged as accomplices or the perpetrators of acts contraband or drug trafficking.
Last year, the PNR reported that, since 2011, it had conducted 15 investigations implicating Cubans residing abroad in attempts at introducing synthetic cannabinoids into the country for the purposes of selling them as drugs.
The Central Criminalistics Laboratory of the Cuban Ministry of the Interior identified 11 different formulas of synthetic cannabinoids and 25 commercial variants, contained in envelopes of anywhere from 1 to 10 grams.
An Eye on Incense Packages
Drugs have also been found in dietary supplements and condiment bottles or concealed in incense and beverage packages.
“Thanks to the effective work of customs authorities, a greater number of drug trafficking operations, chiefly conducted via air routes, have been frustrated. The drugs were destined to the internal market,” a text published in the customs webpage reads.
The article adds that, for “regular drug consumers” who come into the country, current customs regulations establish three measures: an official, written warning, the confiscation of the substance and a fine of 100 Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC) – 200 CUC if the traveller has marihuana seeds in their possession.
Daniel Noa Monzon, chief inspector of the Customs Fraud Department, pointed out that the drug most commonly brought into the country is cocaine (arriving from South America), followed by marihuana and so-called synthetic cannabinoids (herb cuttings impregnated with synthetic substances that produce effects similar to those of marihuana). The latter are brought chiefly from the United States.
At the airport, customs uses ion and body scans and X-ray equipment for dispatched and carry-on luggage, as well as canines.
At the end of May, Cuban customs published its first warning regarding the carrying of packages for third parties and announced it could entail criminal prosecution for travelers. Unofficial rumors of new weight restrictions for luggage arriving from the United States have also begun to circulate.
Perhaps there is the seed of an idea germinating within the regime mind – ie: scale production of organic marihuana on that third of Cuba’s agricultural land lying barren. Mr. Goodrich says that the Castros have the marketing knowledge and experience. I am concerned for emagicmtman as if he takes the sniffing cocker spaniels a bag of doggie treats he will undoubtedly be locked up for trying to divert them from pursuit of justice. Mr. Goodrich on the other hand is unlikely to suffer such a fate having no experience whatever and even less knowledge of Cuba and being busy reading up left wing pontificators prior to quoting them here for the supposed benefit of others. Mr. Teague should understand that the revolution has failed, “I do not seek power and I will not accept it.” quote Fidel Castro Ruz in Santigo de Cuba on January 2, 1959. Revolution succeeds only when the purpose is the liberation and freedom of the people.
If the transition goes as Raul plans it, from a Stalinst style socialist dictatorship to a Chinese style fascist dictatorship, then yes, the next generation elite will stay and own all the good property and businesses.
But if, as you have suggested, things go south and the Cuban people rise up and seek their vengeance on the dictatorship, then those with the ability to do so will flee the country with whatever they can carry.
It is bootless for the Aduana to seize this equipment; many folks I know in Cuba circumvent this by getting their fill of “forbidden fruits” via thumb drives. My biggest regret, however, is that for the most part their taste is for so much trashy stuff…the same problems as my compatriots–and even my daughters and wife!!! Still, it is useless to try to keep this stuff out. Even in the PDRK trashy South Korean telenovelas are very popular!
This is probably because most folks, like you and me, have lives outside of HT and don’t have unlimited time/energy to post anti-Cuban rants, even on the most non-political articles @ HT. The amount of time these folks spend, complete with all sorts of so-called “substantiating” notes, lends me to believe they either must be getting some remuneration for their services–or they are particularly embittered by the Revolution having seized their property back in the 1960’s.
Somewhat related to the article, rather than making it difficult for those bringing drugs into the country (at least “soft” drugs), like our states of Washington and Colorado, the Cuban Aduana should be encouraging the sale of marijuana, both inside and outside the country! It could be a valuable source of hard currency that could help fund the Revolution’s many social and educational programs.
Finally, I love the Aduana’s “attack” cocker spaniels. I keep forgetting, but the next time I’ll try to bring them a big bag of doggie treats!
I am guessing the young rats have a slightly different plan. I see them owning all the real estate on the Malecon. I think they will all be new shareholders in a spate of monopolistic corporations hastily set up after the fall of socialism. I don’t see them as looters per se. At least not in the vein of Battista who allegedly fled with a piano loaded with cash. Rather, from “their cushy condos in Spain or Brazil” I envision people like Raul’s bodyman and grandson who Cubans call “el cangrejo” as the new Cuban mafia living off of collected rent and corporate profits.
The young rats will jump the ship when they see it starting to sink. By then they will have looted what’s left of Cuba’s wealth and taken everything they can to their cushy condos in Spain or Brazil.
The Castros MADE a fortune in drug smuggling. The Mexican cartels, taking over from the Colombians have learned to bypass the Castros role so the trafficking has diminished. They have no need to retire anywhere outside of Cuba. Given the number of cayos and private islands around Cuba, their retirement years are secured should they choose to leave public life while the blood in their veins still runs warm. At this point, both octogenarians have little need for swimming pools or any other material possessions. As long as Fidel keeps his supply of Stoma bags and adult diapers well-stocked, he is good to go. Rather, the ongoing money grab by the Castro elite is intended to secure the financial future of the Castro grandchildren who are well aware that the gravy train must come to an end soon. In the book of Timothy, Paul teaches “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” Wealth is morally neutral; there is nothing wrong with money, in and of itself, or the possession of money. However, when money begins to control us, that’s when trouble starts. Even anarchists like you fall victim to this .
In your effort to defend the Castro regime, it appears that you fail to see the heavy-handed means the dictatorship uses to enforce what would be even the most reasonable laws aimed at protecting the regime. The Castros trample on rights without even a nod to due process and the end does not always justify the means. That means that confiscating incense in pursuit of controlling drugs seems outrageous. If there is science and reason behind this action, they should say what it is. Failing to do so, even with the best of intentions, leaves the Castros looking like bullies. When the NSA got caught sifting through US emails, they quickly went on the offensive to explain why they do it. Did it work, maybe not? I am sure folks like you still feel violated. Nonetheless, the effort was made. Rather than soliciting readers who share your desire to drink the Castro koolaid without complaining, you should solicit your contacts in the regime (I assume YOU have them) who can defend seemingly overbearing customs tactics.
Some long time visitors to Cuba have suggested Havana Times provides little information of use to anyone who isn’t out to see the revolution fail. I have suggested that it does include what appears to be Cuban resident writers and thus has value. But where are the independent readers? Why are so few of the comments anything other than intellectually dishonest right-wing rants? If you learned something, even if you have questions and disagree, why not comment on the content of the writers’ efforts.
This article doesn’t attempt to put the drugs issue into historical context either in Cuba or the rest of the world where drugs, legal and illegal affect so many peoples lives. So is this just a report, perhaps a warning to travelers, or a not so subtle attack on Cuban customs…. Let’s hear from readers.
I can understand the issue of drugs, but internet equipment? Thought that the Castro “government” could not supply the Cuban citizens with internet because it needs time to set up infrastructure?? They should be “glad” that they are getting some help from the “gusanos” on that! OOOPS, forget that the Castro clan in an internet enemy!
REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS INTERNET ENEMIES 2014: CUBA – Long live freedom (but not for the Internet)!
Ministry of Informatics and Communications
The arrival of fibre optics in the island via the ALBA-1 submarine cable from Venezuela and the unblocking of some websites have offered a glimmer of hope, but Cuba still denies most of its population free access to the Internet. The Castro government has developed its own control model based on a local Intranet, sky-high Internet access costs and an all-pervading government presence.
http://12mars.rsf.org/2014-en/2014/03/11/cuba-long-live-freedom-but-not-for-the-internet/
What with the Castro brothers directly involved in drug-smuggling as reported by reliable south Florida sources, the confiscations and interception of drugs being brought in by COMPETITION from the U.S. ( the Drug Capitol Of the World) is just a natural action .
The Castro Brothers are making a fortune in drug dealing so they can retire to the south of France even though Forbes magazine a few years back listed Fidel as one of the richest people in the world because he can simply drive a front-loader into the Cuban National Treasury and take whatever cash he needs to fill his Scrooge McDuck swimming pool .
You just can’t have enough money as any capitalist will tell you.