Santiago de Chile, November 9 (EFE) .- The illicit trade in cigarettes in Chile has grown more than six times since 2012, causing annual tax losses of 500 million dollars, According to a study published today.

According to a report by the Observatory of Illicit Trade (OCI), of the National Chamber of Commerce (CNC), and British American Tobacco Chile, the volume of illegal cigarettes consumed in the country reached 22.3% of the total market in the first semester of 2017.

The north of Chile continues with the highest rates of contraband, achieve a penetration of 40.2%. they are illicit.

The president of the Observatory of Illicit Trade (OCI), Ricardo Mewes, indicated that the situation in the north of the country "is alarming." illicit close to 100%, "he added.

" We from the observatory are putting the focus on street trade, because in addition to being an illegal activity competes so unfair against the owners of premises that with effort raise their business, "Mewes added.

He explained that behind these vendors there are international mafias that bring products to Chile. illegals that do not pass the quality controls required in the country.

"These products are imported by Bolivian companies, mainly from South Korea, Paraguay and India, and from Bolivia is interned in Chile, "he added.

Chile is the largest consumer of tobacco per capita in Latin America, according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO).