Jailed for banana trafficking

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Tabasco Approves Stronger Legal Protections for Banana Production

The Tabasco State Congress has approved reforms aimed at strengthening the protection of the state’s banana industry by creating new criminal offenses related to agricultural production and plant health.

The measure was approved unanimously, receiving 29 votes in favor during an extraordinary legislative session.

The reforms create Title Eleven Bis of the state’s Penal Code.

Under the new law, anyone who transports bananas without proving their legal origin or fails to comply with phytosanitary regulations will face:

  • One to four years in prison
  • Financial penalties established by law

Additional offenses include:

  • Falsifying phytosanitary documents: Two to five years in prison
  • Introducing plant material that poses a sanitary risk: Three to six years in prison

Penalties may be increased in cases involving:

  • Repeat offenders
  • Financial gain
  • Participation by public officials

Protecting Banana Crops

The legislation is intended to strengthen the protection of banana crops and safeguard the state’s agricultural sector.

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The next step is for the reforms to be formally promulgated by the state executive branch.

Key Points of the Reform

  • Purpose: Protect banana production.
  • New offense: Illegal trafficking of bananas.
  • Prison sentences: 1 to 6 years, depending on the offense.
  • Fines: 100 to 800 UMA (Unit of Measurement and Update).
  • Aggravating factors: Repeat offenses and profit-motivated crimes.
  • New requirement: Compliance with phytosanitary documentation.
  • Committee: Measures to strengthen banana crop protection.
  • Primary threat: Fusarium Tropical Race 4 (TR4), a highly destructive banana disease.

Transition Period

Banana producers, collection centers, and transport operators will have 90 days to update their procedures and comply with the new regulations.

The reforms were approved with 29 votes, reflecting unanimous legislative support for strengthening the legal protection of Tabasco’s agricultural production.

Source: tabascohoy

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