The exchanges of customs information revealed that, although the exporter had declared sales of US$7.8 million in Argentina, the value registered in the destination countries was almost US$11 million.
Customs detected irregularities in no less than 158 operations; The investigated company failed to properly liquidate more than US$3 million in our country.
Specialized agents from the General Directorate of Customs discovered that the firm systematically resorted to improper triangulations to underinvoice exports.
The front company was based in the US
The maneuver involved a third operator based in the US, SPHERE TRADING LLC, which functioned as a front company, since 100% of its purchases had the company investigated by Customs as a supplier.
The General Directorate of Customs requested explanations for this from the investigated firm, but the documentation presented by it was not illuminating: there is no tangible added value provided by the American intermediary that justifies the re-invoicing margins observed.
Furthermore, given that the Customs analysis confirmed that 100% of the North American firm’s purchases were from the Argentine exporter, everything indicates that it is nothing more than a front company, functionally linked to Refinería de Grasas Sudamericana SA under the terms established by Decree 862/2019 (article 14, sections E and J).
For all of the above, the General Directorate of Customs considers that the operation described falls within the scope of smuggling – article 863 of the Customs Code – by confirming a scheme aimed at hindering the control tasks of the customs service – in this context, the offender could face a penalty of between 2 and 8 years in prison. Likewise, the agency seeks a minimum fine of US$53,451,763.79, in accordance with the provisions of article 876 of Law 22,415.
Source: Ambito
