KRA officers and authorities at the Mombasa Port say the containers had imported sugar, with an assessed tax value of Sh28million/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 25 – The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has today discovered another 16 containers of contraband goods at the Kilindini port Container Terminal.
KRA officers and authorities at the Mombasa Port say the containers had imported sugar, with an assessed tax value of Sh28million.
Imported by Flowlmer Distribution Company, the containers had been disguised as “grinding machine” and “Truck Boring Mesh” packages in place of the discovered imported sugar.
The sugar is packed in bags with Kakira Sugar Company marks, to ostensibly mask its origin.
“The 16 containers verified so far, are loaded with sugar packed in, Kakira Sugar Company, bags, to ostensibly mask its origin. It’s instructive to note that Kakira Sugar company, is based in Uganda and any imports originating from the firm, would ideally enter Kenya by road or rail haulage through the land borders and not through the port via sea vessels,”statement from Commissioner, Customs and Border Control said.
KRA says it has commenced immediate investigations on this act of tax evasion reiterating its determination to firmly continue enforcing Customs regulations as part of a broader campaign to seal revenue leakages.
“The continued importation of contraband sugar by unscrupulous traders undermines the Government objectives to promote the consumption of locally grown sugar.”
Early this month, five containers with 2,450 bags of smuggled Brazilian Sugar valued at Sh9 million were nabbed at the port which was concealed as boxes of dates.
The sugar was destroyed with rice after being dumped into the ocean as part of measures employed by the KRA to punish unscrupulous traders.
The businessman, Abdullah Roka Godana, who imported the sugar destroyed in Mombasa recently has been charged for not declaring the goods and giving false information.
KRA has intensified a crackdown on unscrupulous businessmen and officials who collude to undervalue goods in order to pay less duty and has since cost various top officials their jobs.
