According to Irving Malespín, director of the Fiscal Control Police (PCF) of the Finance Ministry, groups linked to the smuggling mafia make the biggest purchases in the Golfito Free Trade Warehouse. Officials say these organizations take advantage of locals’ economic need to proceed with their illegal business.
Malespín said that purchasing cards used in Golfito allow the circulation of hundreds of millions of colones per year, which evade the national treasury, because said cards are intended for personal consumption.
For many years we have seen organized mafias dedicated to the distribution of liquor purchased in Golfito. For that purpose they recruit locals with financial needs, who get shopping cards. Mobsters buy those cards from them and purchase millions in different products that they later distribute, making a huge profit,”
said Malespín.
Each card allows to spend approximately ¢ 1 million per person on products that do not pay taxes for being for personal use. When mobsters get this products, they dodge roadside checks to take them to San José for their distribution, which is also illegal.