It has been alleged that medical supplies were brought in on a “massive” scale and that training sessions were conducted to identify counterfeits.
SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 21st Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The customs officials called to provide testimony before the investigative committee of the Parliament of the Canary Islands regarding the procurement of medical supplies during the pandemic – María José Caballero and María Ortega – have referenced a document from the legal department to explain that they refrained from responding to questions relating to the ‘mask case’, citing it as “reserved information” and attributing this to “stealth” operations.
Despite the grievances voiced by several deputies – with CC even requesting a copy of the legal document – both representatives limited their responses to a generic overview of the process concerning the entry of goods and their destruction if required.
The ‘mask case’ is under investigation due to an advance payment of four million Euros made by the Canarian Health Service for a shipment of one million masks imported by RR7 United – a company primarily engaged in the trading of vehicles – which were ultimately destroyed as they were found to be counterfeit.
María José Caballero, Customs delegate at Gran Canaria airport, noted that new guidance was implemented during the pandemic due to the “massive” influx of medical supplies and the necessity to expedite the approval of goods.
She explained, in broad terms, that when a procedure is initiated, the importer is notified that the merchandise is “susceptible” to infringing intellectual property rights, and subsequently, the brand owners are informed for them to ascertain “whether it is authentic or not.”
She indicated that if a case is tied to a judicial inquiry, Customs will await a resolution, and should destruction be necessary, the costs will fall upon the brand’s owner.
Furthermore, she mentioned that officials “verify” the destruction of the merchandise, but the certification rests with the affected company, emphasising that in the specific instance of masks, they are routinely incinerated.
Caballero also noted that she is not acquainted with either Rayco García, administrator of RR7 United, or Ana María Pérez, former financial director of the SCS, but out of respect for the ongoing investigation, she did not clarify whether she had contacted them during the procedure.
Additionally, she refrained from commenting on the potential existence of vehicles seized by Customs and mentioned that it is “unusual” for the disposal of goods to be logged, insisting that the agency’s role is to maintain “filters” to ensure no risk to the public.
PP: “DEEP DISAPPOINTMENT”
Fernando Enseñat (PP) expressed his “deep disappointment” at the officials’ refusal to testify regarding the ‘mask case’ dossier and condemned the “favourable treatment” that the Canary Islands Government extended to certain companies like RR7, Megalab, or Management Solutions during the last legislative term.
He also alleged that the former director of the SCS, Conrado Domínguez, “operated from a mediation office,” claiming that the former President of the Canary Islands, Ángel Víctor Torres, “lied” during the inquiry as revealed by the UCO, highlighting that as much as “22 million” Euros was awarded to companies in health supplies “linked to alleged crimes.”
José Alberto Díaz-Estébanez (CC) noted that progress in the commission is occurring “in fits and starts,” despite “eloquent silences”, and sometimes finds the methodology “frustrating” as it does not correspond to current occurrences, having been left to political representatives for later stages.
He further remarked that it is “inexplicable and amusing” that the masks were destroyed and presented a report from the UDEF revealing efforts to expedite the release of the batch of masks from Customs.
Nira Fierro (PSOE) criticised CC and PP for “making assumptions” and attempting to “fabricate a narrative” while demonstrating that the public administration has its “own functions” and operates with the general interest in mind amidst “noise, spectacle, headline-chasing, and mediocrity.”
María Ortega, former regional director of Customs in the Canary Islands from 2016 to 2022, disclosed that during the pandemic she received numerous “calls” from representatives of the SCS or the Canary Islands Government, but she acknowledged that they were not regular “collaborators” of Customs and often their identities were “unknown.” “It was common to contact us at any hour,” she noted.
She also indicated that during the pandemic, “there were continuous meetings” within the administration aimed at streamlining controls due to the “enormous” volume of material and that specific training was provided to “identify forgeries.”
THE MATERIAL ARRIVED FROM CHINA AND HONG KONG
Ortega also stated that when a shipment is immobilised, “the exporter is not notified, only the importer and the affected company,” and law enforcement agencies are not engaged unless judicial requirements arise.
She pointed out that upon detection of counterfeit goods, “the standard procedure” is to proceed with destruction as “material cannot be stored,” stating that the supplies primarily originated from China and Hong Kong, admitting that she “does not know” where the RR7 materials arrived – specifically Ethiopia.
Along these lines, she indicated that customs serve as the “final link” before products enter the market, asserting that some masks could have been rendered usable had they possessed “pharmacy or health certificates” even if they were counterfeit, as they did not present a health risk.
However, she noted that she has no evidence of any agreements for the resale of the materials to third countries and understands that it was typical for the SCS to be interested in the status of material orders.
Marcos Hernández, from the Socialist Group, lamented that the customs officials were compelled to appear before the committee as “it was not an enjoyable meeting” and emphasised that “controls were in place, the merchandise was verified,” and the customs system “functioned correctly.”
