Ja: Businesses and vendors don't want to render unto Caesar

Sounds as though the government might be providing incentive for businesses and individuals to evade customs duties. If taxes and duties are high, people will bend over backward not to pay. Get used to it.

"Last year, we identified $500 million in GCT collected and not paid over." But not to be left out, the 'small man' is part of the problem. Mr. Surridge explains. "Last Christmas the market was flooded with smuggled cigarettes and liquor. During the holiday season, one major company that had their grand opening, the attendees were supplied with smuggled alcohol. What people don't know is that these types of activities put Jamaicans out of work. Companies like Carreras pay a fortune in duties but cannot sell their products because they cannot compete with smuggled goods."

One of the contributors to this problem is the attitude of vendors. "We can spot the illegal cigarettes on site, but as one vendor said to me. 'Take my goods, but by tomorrow, I will have more because it is very profitable for me'." And what is especially frustrating to Mr. Surridge is the fact that there is no imprisons time for smugglers even when they are caught.