WILLEMSTAD – Two snack bars were ordered to close during overnight inspections from Friday to Saturday after authorities uncovered electricity theft and tax violations, according to a multidisciplinary enforcement team.
The first inspection took place at a snack bar in Marchena, where inspectors found that the business was operating without a cash register registered with the Tax Office. Authorities also discovered that the establishment was illegally connected to the electricity grid.
As a result, utility company Aqualectra immediately disconnected the business from the power supply.
Inspectors later visited a second snack bar on Colombiaweg, where no violations were detected.
However, during another inspection later that night on Breedestraat, the enforcement team found a second snack bar operating without a registered cash register. Inspectors also discovered electricity theft at that location, prompting Aqualectra to disconnect the establishment's electricity service as well.
The inspections were carried out by a multidisciplinary team comprising representatives of the Tax Office, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, Customs, the Curaçao Police Force (KPC) and Aqualectra.
Authorities said the joint inspections are part of ongoing efforts to combat tax evasion, illegal utility connections and other violations, while promoting fair competition and compliance with Curaçao's laws and regulations.