Minister Daryl Vaz has stated that an official investigation found no evidence supporting claims of stolen hurricane relief goods from a recent airlift. The minister reported that the shipment was cleared by a customs broker directly on the airport tarmac and was transferred to a receiving truck without being moved to any off-site location.
He confirmed that photographs and a cargo manifest were reviewed, showing that items reportedly missing, including a stove and Starlink devices, were not part of the original shipment. The minister emphasized that the pallets' seals and wrapping were intact, a point verified by the attending customs officer.
While acknowledging historical issues with customs procedures, Vaz explained that a special system was implemented for hurricane relief to expedite processing. He noted that the priority is the rapid distribution of aid and that the circumstances of this particular shipment were different from standard customs operations.
He confirmed that photographs and a cargo manifest were reviewed, showing that items reportedly missing, including a stove and Starlink devices, were not part of the original shipment. The minister emphasized that the pallets' seals and wrapping were intact, a point verified by the attending customs officer.
While acknowledging historical issues with customs procedures, Vaz explained that a special system was implemented for hurricane relief to expedite processing. He noted that the priority is the rapid distribution of aid and that the circumstances of this particular shipment were different from standard customs operations.
