DACO moves to prevent price gouging amid US ports strike

The island Department of Consumer Affairs was said to be sending out inspectors to prevent businesses from raising prices using the longshoremen’s strike called at several mainland U.S. ports as an excuse.

By The Star Staff

The Department of Consumer Affairs (DACO by its Spanish acronym) was to send inspectors starting Tuesday morning to prevent businesses from raising prices using the longshoremen’s strike called at several U.S. ports as an excuse, Rep. José Aponte Hernández said.

“I spoke with the Acting Secretary of DACO to send inspectors to businesses and confirm that there are no unjustified price increases in view of the possible strike,” Aponte said in a written statement.

Longshoremen went on strike at several East and Gulf ports just after midnight on Tuesday morning after their demands were not met (see related story on page 7). The strike called by the International Longshoremen’s Association could affect the port of Jacksonville, Florida, which handles 80% of the products that are shipped to Puerto Rico.

Ports Authority Executive Director Joel Pizá Batiz said Jacksonville’s operations for Puerto Rico will not be directly affected and that the island has enough products for several weeks.

Aponte urged consumers to report any abuse to DACO.