401 - 02/05 - Containers used in smuggling operations - South East Asia

The Club would like to make Members aware of a smuggling operation that has put containers with incorrect/conflicting identification marks into circulation. This commences with a request for the release of an empty container (container A) which is then stuffed with the goods to be smuggled. The bill of lading and other documents relating to the container are prepared to suggest a different cargo inside. The container is then shipped to a transit port.

Outside the transit port a second container (container B) sits laden with the goods as per the bill of lading for container A. Container B is stripped of its external identification number and the CSC registration plate removed. The identification number is then replaced with an identical identification number and CSC registration plate as container A.

Container B is then unlawfully brought into the transit port and switched with container A. Container A is then unlawfully taken from the transit port using forged release documents.

Container B is then shipped to the consignee and container A successfully smuggled into the transit port. The consignee repeats the process and containers with external ID numbers conflicting with its internal ID numbers are in circulation.

Source of information:

Mike Hawkins

SIGNUM Services

London, UK

Signum@thomasmiller.com +44 20 7283 5616