The Regional Customs Office of Valparaíso and the PDI intercepted more than one million 10-peso coins hidden in a scrap metal container exported to China.
The discovery took place on Saturday during an inspection at the port of Valparaíso. Officials found 1,039,785 legal tender coins mixed with declared red bronze scrap metal for export.
The shipment weighed 3,653 kilograms and had a nominal value of 10,397,850 pesos, close to 12 thousand dollars. The exporting company did not declare the coins as required by regulations.
Prosecutor Elizardo Tapia reported that the Public Ministry is investigating smuggling and money laundering offenses by an industrial waste recycling company. Customs director Braulio Cubillos noted that automatic filters allowed detection of the irregular shipment.
The coins were placed under the custody of BancoEstado by order of the Prosecutor's Office.
