KRA seizes 520 more bags of contraband sugar in Coast operation

Lorries loaded with sugar alleged to be contraband at the Police Headquarters in Mombasa County on Saturday 28th July 2018.  [File, Standard]

A multi-agency team yesterday intercepted two trucks ferrying a total of 520 bags of sugar at the Taveta one-stop border post suspected to be smuggled from Tanzania.

This brings the total number of bags of contraband sugar seized at the coastal border post to 664 after another 144 bags were seized at the Lunga Lunga One-Stop Border Post two weeks ago.

The latest seizure involved 520 bags of sugar weighing 50 kilograms each that were intercepted at the Taveta One Stop border post. Each truck had 260 bags of the contraband sugar.

According to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the sugar was impounded in a major operation aimed at combating smuggling and safeguarding the local sugar industry.

The seizure at Taveta brings the total to 664 bags of contraband sugar intercepted by KRA in the past two weeks at the Taveta and Lunga Lunga One Stop border posts.

In the Lunga Lunga operation, a truck carrying 144 bags of brown sugar concealed beneath oranges was intercepted and detained.

In a statement yesterday, the commissioner of Customs and Border Control, Dr Lilian Nyawanda, noted that the Taveta operation was undertaken following receipt of intelligence about two locally registered trucks – KDT 085 M and KCS 144 B – suspected of ferrying contraband sugar.

“The trucks were intercepted at Salaita and Taveta Bypass along the Taveta-Voi Road. Upon inspection and physical verification by the multi-agency team, each truck was found loaded with 260 bags of sugar that were uncustomed,” she said.

According to KRA, the packaging for the sugar lacked critical information such as the date of production and packaging, expiry date and batch numbers.

“The drivers of the two trucks did not produce any documents to facilitate clearance of the sugar. The seized sugar is detained at the customs warehouse pending further investigation,” said Dr Nyawanda.

She added, “KRA remains resolute in its mandate to protect the country from illicit trade and ensure that unscrupulous traders do not jeopardise public safety or the local economy.”

KRA also urged all importers to adhere to customs laws and regulations and reiterated its commitment to working with partner agencies to secure Kenya’s borders and uphold fair trade practices.