Black marketing not worth risk

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jason Burton
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Purchasing a bottle of shampoo, stick of deodorant or a pack of cigarettes at the Base Exchange for a Turkish friend might seem harmless, but in actuality is a crime.

Black marketing carries heavy fines and punishments and is defined as giving, selling or transferring any item not purchased on the Turkish economy to a local national or anyone not entitled to duty-free goods.

"Many of the black marketing cases involve people with good intentions," said Capt. Shane McCammon, 39th Air Base Wing assistance staff judge advocate. "Most of us make friends with people off base and may want to help out. It might not seem like a big deal to purchase items for unauthorized members, but it is illegal and can quickly get out of control."

A common situation that can occur is an off base vendor will offer base members discounts on merchandise in exchange for duty-free goods. While these people do not directly pocket money from selling black marketed items themselves, they are contributing to illegal activity.

Once a base member has purchased a few items for an unauthorized individual, they may face being blackmailed into doing more because the unauthorized individuals may gain leverage against base members to conduct more prohibited activities, said Agent Stephen Cibo, Office of Investigations.

Regardless of why someone participates in black marketing, the rules against it are for a good reason.

The Army and Air Force Exchange Service and the commissary are able to import items into Turkey without having to pay customs duties. These items are intended solely for Incirlik members authorized to shop at these establishments.

The duty-free status of these items forms a price gap between an item on base and the same item on the Turkish economy. This difference in price creates an opportunity for profit and is an incentive for unauthorized locals to try and persuade base personnel to transfer these items to the Turkish economy, thus contributing to the black market.

While any item can be black marketed, certain products are highly sought after: jeans, underwear, cologne, perfume and hygiene items, for example.

Meral Suslu, Base Exchange sales manager, said these are some of the more popular black-marketed items because of the price difference and quality compared to off base items.

Commissary and AAFES employees help prevent black marketing by keeping an eye out for possible black marketing activity such as someone purchasing large amounts of items.

Though it may be tempting for base members to try to make money by black marketing, the punishment should be reason enough to avoid breaking the law.

According to the 39th Air Base Wing Legal Office, black marketing is punishable under Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and Turkish and American penalties authorities are severe.

For simple smuggling, which is the Turkish legal term for black marketing, violators face a jail term of up to five years and for those who conspire to smuggle, the punishment can be seven-15 years imprisonment. Penalties may also include payment of customs tax and confiscation of the items.

Air Force members can face punitive or administrative action by their commanders, and dependents and civilians face revocation of base shopping privileges, loss of command sponsorship and could be banned from the installation.

"It is not worth your career," Agent Cibo said.

The agent also said that anyone asked by an unauthorized person to purchase duty-free products, should report the incident to security forces or the office of investigations so an investigation can be initiated. Callers should remember to include location, name of establishment and the name of the individual if possible.

A person contributing to the black market might be hard to spot, but Agent Cibo said there are indicators to look for.

"A sudden increase in wealth or increased spending habits, constantly hanging out with off base store owners, or received phone calls at work from local nationals, could be indicators," Agent Cibo said.

According to the wing commander, black marketing acquires our vigilance.

"Black marketing is definitely on our radar screen," said Col. Phil McDaniel, 39th Air Base Wing commander. "Do not allow yourself to get involved in this crime ... the ramifications are just too great."

To report information or suspicions of black marketing operations, contact the CLUE hotline at 676-2583. (The 39th Air Base Wing Legal Office contributed to this article)