NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 31 – Two truck drivers have been separately charged with smuggling of ethanol value of Sh10.8 million and tax value of Sh3.2 million before Busia Law Courts Senior Resident Magistrate Phoebe Kuleho.
Peter Kimana Ngugi and Boniface Gitau Wanjiku both separately faced similar counts of possession of restricted goods and that of conveying uncustomed goods both criminal offences according to East Africa Community Customs Management Act, 2004.
The two were arrested separately on 15th January 2021 at Busia OSBP after their trucks were found loaded with 128 drums each containing 200 litres of ethanol with each truck carrying 64 drums.
The ethanol was concealed under 117 MDF boards and 68 ceiling boards.
The accused persons denied all the charges and were each released on a bond of Sh100,000 or cash bail of Sh50,000.
The case will be mentioned on 15th February 2021 to fix a hearing date.
If convicted, the accused persons will pay a fine of half the customs value or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years under EACCMA, 2004, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars and forfeiture of the goods to the KRA Customs Commissioner.
“The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) strives to detect and disrupt tax evasion schemes and prosecute criminals who engage in smuggling of goods through our borders to ensure that all individuals pay their fair share of customs duty and the right amount of taxes are paid to the government,” the Authority said in a statement.
