{"id":5912,"date":"2018-10-25T11:46:22","date_gmt":"2018-10-25T15:46:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/?p=5912"},"modified":"2020-05-07T12:34:55","modified_gmt":"2020-05-07T16:34:55","slug":"pay-up-or-else-crew-held-hostage-by-customs-agents-in-ivory-coast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/pay-up-or-else-crew-held-hostage-by-customs-agents-in-ivory-coast\/","title":{"rendered":"Pay up or else! Crew held hostage by Customs agents in Ivory Coast"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

“Beware all pilots traveling to Abidjan, Customs is waiting for you!”<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\"\"That is the message we received in a disconcerting report this week from one of our long-time members which certainly troubled us here at OpsGroup. We thought it was important to share.<\/p>\n

The pilot told us that he and his business jet were recently “held hostage” by airport custom officials in the port city of DIAP\/Abidjan<\/strong>, Ivory Coast, West Africa.<\/p>\n

The crew had all the appropriate<\/strong> landing and overflight permits<\/strong> as required. GenDec\u2019s, passports and associated documents were also in order<\/strong>. Therefore, all the evidence points to a good old fashioned shakedown<\/strong><\/em> and a convoluted scheme setup between local Customs agents and certain ground handlers to extort bribes from foreign crew.<\/p>\n

The report we received explains how the crew were ramp checked by Customs officials after landing. The aircraft documents were confiscated and the Captain was \u201cinterrogated until 1am\u201d the following morning.<\/p>\n

The officials claimed that the pilot both failed to declare their arrival, as well as the \u201caircraft contents, passengers and baggage.\u201d<\/p>\n

The fine<\/strong> was CFA 6,900,000,000 (yes billion!) francs, which equates to USD $12,066,720 (yes, million!)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ay Caramba!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"The offence was purported to be importing a high value item (aircraft) without customs approval.\u00a0The high fine figure was \u201cbased on the insurance value of the aircraft.\u201d<\/p>\n

The crew were held hostage in the country for 10 days until senior Customs officials could finally agree on the appropriate “accusation” and that the associated fine was actually “legal”.<\/p>\n

After the 10 days, the crew were able to negotiate a deal and depart safely – although not without having to involve the aircraft’s insurance underwriter, who paid a ‘substantial amount’ <\/strong>for the aircraft to be allowed to depart.<\/p>\n

On reflection, the crew noted that if Customs does meet your aircraft without you arranging it in advance, “you can be sure you are about to be trapped<\/em>.” They do not tell you why they are looking for documents, more specifically, your aircraft documents, and will not tell you anything as they walk away to call their seniors, carrying your documents with them.<\/p>\n

So in short:\u00a0do not let go of your documents!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"The advice from our member:<\/strong><\/p>\n