An analysis of studies sponsored by the Costa Rican-American Chamber of Commerce shows an “alarming” rise in the trade of illicit cigarettes in Central America that is supporting organised crime, the business group said.

More than two thirds of the non-domestic cigarettes consumed in Panama are illicit, followed by 31 per cent in El Salvador, 21 per cent in Guatemala, 20 per cent in Honduras and 16 per cent in Costa Rica, a review of 20 studies conducted by CID Gallup shows. Profits from illicit trade are funding criminal organisations including ‘Maras’ in El Salvador and the drug cartels Zetas and Xinaloa in Belize.
“Solutions must include a review of current regulations to fight smuggling, the use of technology as an ally of security forces, raising the penalties for those committing this crime, allocation of more financial and human resources to fight this activity, and awareness campaigns,” said AmCham Costa Rica.