Customs chief mulls new trainees

Division of Customs Services director Jose C. Mafnas is already thinking of recruiting and training a new batch of officers to further beef up their personnel due to a further increase in tourist activity. South Korean airline t’way began their non-stop flights to Saipan last month while the inaugural flight of Hong Kong Express starts on Jan. 17.

Mafnas said having new air carriers opening up flights to Saipan would be a good problem on their part. “It means our economy is growing with new flights coming in and the entry of cargo picking up.”

He said that additional officers would be needed since they are the first line of defense in the CNMI’s borders. “We are responsible in defending our borders. If we slack off we are compromising the safety of our ports of entry.”