KRA intercepts concealed high-end vehicles

MOMBASA, KENYA: The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has intercepted two concealed high-end vehicles, a Range Rover Sport and a BMW X5, imported through the Port of Mombasa, allegedly stolen from the United Kingdom.

Commissioner of Customs and Border Control Kevin Safari said the vehicles arrived at the port in a 40-foot container on February 19, aboard Mv Maersk Brooklyn, from the United Kingdom.

“On February 27, 2019, KRA customs officers received intelligence reports that the container had suspected stolen motor vehicles. KRA then requested Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) to place the two containers on hold and subject them to scanning and verification at the customs warehouse,” he explained.

According to Mr. Safari, import documents indicated that the container was carrying one Mercedes Benz A180 and a BMW 125I Sport.

He said when the container was scanned on March 28, 2019, the images revealed the shapes of the two high- end vehicles.

“Upon 100 percent verification by a multi-agency team on 3rd April 2019, the container was found with one unit used Range Rover Sport HSE SDV6 and One unit used BMW X5,” he said.

According to the Manifest, the exporter was Kola Solomon from London, UK and the Consignee was listed as Namanya Alex of Kampala, Uganda.

KRA is working with other local and International Investigation and Enforcement agencies with an aim of arresting and prosecuting those behind international vehicle smuggling syndicate.