A friend of mine, Frank, here in Caldera near Boquete, went to Paso Canoas recently to purchase some plants for his Nature Reserve called El Rio Encantado. Here is his story ........................................................................................................................
Last Saturday, August 15, 3 of us ex-pats went to the Costa Rican border to buy some decorative plants, as I have done many times in the past. We never crossed the border, Bought 7 plants and had them in the back of my pick-up. Upon returning there is a Aduana check point where we were stopped and questioned about the plants. I told them we did not cross the border, but it was obvious that it did not matter what I said, they were intent on detaining us . I called Rodny, who talked to the agent, he was surprised and confirmed to me that it was their intention to confiscate the plants along with the truck. An agent entered our vehicle and we were ordered to drive to Aduana in David. We were accompanied by armed agents that followed us from behind with emergency lights flashing.
So far, I have spent a whole day with my attorneys, who inform me that Customs intends to make a serious case of this. We have not recovered our truck or plants and we have have a hearing next week.
BE ADVISED AFTER 20 YEARS IN PANAMA- THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY DIFFERENT, CHALLENGING LIFE HERE FOR EX-PATS
Last Saturday, August 15, 3 of us ex-pats went to the Costa Rican border to buy some decorative plants, as I have done many times in the past. We never crossed the border, Bought 7 plants and had them in the back of my pick-up. Upon returning there is a Aduana check point where we were stopped and questioned about the plants. I told them we did not cross the border, but it was obvious that it did not matter what I said, they were intent on detaining us . I called Rodny, who talked to the agent, he was surprised and confirmed to me that it was their intention to confiscate the plants along with the truck. An agent entered our vehicle and we were ordered to drive to Aduana in David. We were accompanied by armed agents that followed us from behind with emergency lights flashing.
So far, I have spent a whole day with my attorneys, who inform me that Customs intends to make a serious case of this. We have not recovered our truck or plants and we have have a hearing next week.
BE ADVISED AFTER 20 YEARS IN PANAMA- THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY DIFFERENT, CHALLENGING LIFE HERE FOR EX-PATS
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