Recently the FSM Customs and Tax Administration (Customs) intercepted two separate consignments of illegal weaponry, which has now been confiscated and handed over to the FSM National Police for further investigation.
In September, two Customs Officers from the Customs Field Office in Yap were carrying out an inspection of containers at the Waab Commercial Dock. The officers came across undeclared boxes of gun parts, as well as a bow and arrow.
Gun parts found in shipping container in Yap – September 2020.
In October, two Customs Officers from the Field Office in Pohnpei discovered 6,000 rounds of ammunition when they were carrying out an inspection of a container in Kolonia.
Ammunition discovered in shipping container in Pohnpei – October 2020.
The September and October discoveries of illegal weapons and ammunition imports came after two other cases involving the illegal importation of ammunition had been recently heard by the FSM Supreme Court. The first case involved the importation of ammunition in a passenger’s check-in luggage through the Pohnpei Airport. In August this year, a person was convicted and sentenced to a six-month suspended prison term (serving 10 days) and fined $300 in relation to this. In September, another person was convicted and sentenced to a six-month suspended prison term (serving 20 days) and fined in relation to the illegal importation of ammunition through the FSM Post Office.
The Secretary of Finance, the Honorable Eugene Amor “encourages all businesses and individuals to abide by the law with regards with to their imports as our Customs is monitoring these imports carefully”. The Secretary also stated that “all of these cases reflect the co-operative work being carried out by Customs [Department of Finance and Administration], the FSM National Police, and the FSM Attorney General, to protect our FSM borders against dangerous and illegal imports”.
Following a briefing on the subject, His Excellency David W. Panuelo, President of the FSM, applauded the Division of Customs & Tax Administration for their capable efforts in keeping the FSM safe from dangerous and illegal imports, and the FSM Department of Justice for their thorough and capable investigations and prosecutions.
If the public come across any information, or become aware of any illegal imports coming into the FSM, please contact Customs at:
Chuuk Phone: 330 4482
Kosrae Phone: 370 3382
Pohnpei Phone: 320 2350
Yap Phone: 350 2272
[This article is a condensed version of the original Press Release made by the Office of the President, October 2020]
