KRA seize 3 top cars worth Sh.28M declared as used mattresses
News
By
Philip Mwakio
| Mar 30, 2016
MOMBASA: Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has intercepted containers loaded with three top cars disguised as baby toys at the Port of Mombasa.
KRA said the cars were declared as baby walkers and used mattresses.
KRA Commissioner of Customs, Julius Musyoka said the three vehicles a two Range Rover and one Mercedes Benz with a combined value of Sh.28million.
He said that had importer successively sneaked them from the port the government would have lost tax of sh8.5million.
"The vehicles were concealed in a cargo container, loaded with baby walkers and used mattresses, earlier shipped from the United Kingdom.
READ MORE
Bridging the digital divide calls for inclusive development
Why tech experts are against regulation of fast-growing AI
Treasury to cut borrowing, spending on shortfall in revenue collection
State to shut down 25 entities, privatise others in new reforms
Why Kenya must move fast to invest in digital rights security
State, workers' pay tensions cloud function
Why the super-rich are ditching commercial property investments
S Sudan Central Bank Governor Rallies East Africans to Invest in Juba
Co-op Bank lines up billions for women-owned SMEs after German loan deal
Construction players protest state's bid to tax mining sector
"This, would have caused the government to lose sh.8.5million in tax revenue had the hawk eyed, KRA officials who scanned the 40 ft. container number: MRKU2024181 failed to spot the carefully concealed cargo," said Mr Musyoka.
He said that the importer, a Mr Saidar Muteweta of London (UK) had declared the goods as personal effects and household goods which were destined to a consignee in Uganda, a Mr Abubakari Sekimwanyi.
All the three motor vehicles were Tuesday detained at the Customs Warehouse for safe custody.
"KRA is liaising with the relevant agencies such as Interpol, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and Regional Intelligence Liaisons Office (RILO) as part of an elaborate investigative effort," said Musyoka.
Journalists were present at the KRA Bonded Custom warehouse inside the Port where a 20 feet container was ripped open to reveal its high value cargo.
Musyoka said the interception by the Customs and Border Control Unit was as a result of stricter checks and clearance procedures for all import and export cargo passing through the port as KRA seeks to seal all revenue leakage loopholes.
"We are treating this case with the seriousness it deserves. The concealed vehicles units are non-costumed goods and are therefore liable to forfeiture," Musyoka said.
The consignors, if found liable for customs offences and international crimes, will be charged.
The second container whose seals were broken yesterday had registration number HLBU 1231204 and had been shipped into the Port on March 14th 2016 from the UK with supplier listed as Rennie Musisi and consignee Mr Robert Musisi.
- Win for Gachagua as call for three deputy party leaders rejected
- More families out in the cold amid fears flood crisis is getting worse
- Cancer care mirage: The agony of accessing help from the country's facilities
- Why tech experts are against regulation of fast-growing AI
- State to shut down 25 entities, privatise others in new reforms