On September 26th I had the privilege of participating as organizer and director of the Seminar "Merchandise Smuggling: current state of the offense", held at the Faculty of Law of the National University of Cuyo, together with ITEPSUR – the Transdisciplinary Institute for Criminal Studies of South America and the Faculty's Extension, Liaison and Graduates Secretariat.
It was an enriching day, where we brought together federal judges with jurisdiction over the country's main border crossings, representatives of the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Tax Court of the Nation, and the General Directorate of Customs. Each one contributed their experience and practical perspective on a key criminal offense for Argentine international trade.
The first panel featured presentations by Dr. Hernán Viri (Federal Judge, Gualeguaychú, Entre Ríos), Dr. Marcelo Garnica (Federal Judge No. 3, Mendoza), and Dr. Ernesto Kreplak (Federal Criminal and Correctional Judge No. 3, La Plata), moderated by Dr. Christian González Palazzo, Member of the Tax Court of the Nation (Customs Division).
The second panel included Dr. Federico Baquioni (Public Prosecutor's Office), Dr. Mauro Sebastián Falvella (Cuyo Regional Customs Directorate – ARCA), and Dr. Alejandro Catania (National Economic Criminal Judge No. 4), moderated by Dr. Juan Manuel Francia, Deputy Director General of Customs Control – ARCA.
The discussion on smuggling cannot be limited to its punitive or economic dimensions. Today more than ever, it must be analyzed within the framework of the new Federal Code of Criminal Procedure, which introduces an adversarial system and redefines the role of legal actors. This change calls for a modern reading of Customs Criminal Law, grounded in efficiency, transparency, and the protection of constitutional guarantees.
For those of us working in Customs and Economic Criminal Law, these debate spaces are essential for reflection, updating criteria, and building a practice more aligned with the operational reality of our borders.
I am deeply grateful to all the speakers, colleagues, and attendees who made this experience possible. I am convinced that events like this strengthen institutional dialogue and contribute to the development of a more robust legal system committed to our country.
Andrés Pérez Díaz
Director of Pérez Díaz Abogados
