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Customs officials urge felony penalty for tampering with seals to deter drugs, invasive species and contraband
Summary
Bill 271-38 would add a criminal penalty for intentionally tampering with Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency seals; Customs Acting Chief Franklin J. Guterres testified the change would close an enforcement gap, and senators pressed for clear definitions, outreach to port operators, and assurance the law targets perpetrators rather than uninformed workers.
Senator Theres Chilahi introduced Bill 271-38 at the committee hearing, describing a proposal to add section 55.75 to chapter 55, title 9, Guam Code Annotated to deter tampering of Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency (CQA) seals with a felony penalty. Chilahi framed the measure as a response to a drug-crisis environment, invasive-species risks, and other contraband threats that can exploit breaks in the inspection chain.
Colonel Franklin J. Guterres, Acting Chief of Customs and head of Special Enforcement, testified the seal is a law-enforcement control that represents the legal…
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