Contraband goods flow from China too.
Be it restrictions on badly needed aviation spare parts, "dual use" electronics or blackballed financial institutions, Dubai is one of several major ventricles through which contraband and money flow in and out of Iran.
The aide explained that if such a donation occurred, the Dominican government, perhaps under pressure from criminal elements there, might intentionally limit the use of the equipment so that drugs or other contraband could still flow through the country's ports on the way to the United States.
VICE News has learned after more than two dozen interviews with officials, residents, and smugglers that, despite Maduro's efforts, corrupt guards, as well as determined traffickers and guerrillas, have turned the border into a high-stakes conflict zone where contraband continues to flow.
On state television, a newscaster claimed the policy was already having a dramatic effect, citing claims by Russia's food standards body that the flow of contraband goods reaching the border had decreased tenfold since the law came into force.
"[Our efforts to fight tiger crime] must not just result in seizures - they must result in prosecutions, convictions and strong penalties to stop the flow of contraband," said John Scanlon, Cites secretary general.
While Marquitos' reign may be at an end, few believe his arrest will stem the flow of contraband gasoline across the Venezuelan border.
Following the Sousse attack, the government announced it would build a barrier with Libya to combat terrorism and stem the flow of contraband.
