By Samuel Migele
Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) smashed a
syndicate involving the importation of
contraband goods into the Country through the
Taveta-Holili One –Stop Border Post (OSBP).
KRA detectives intercepted and seized
restricted goods, including ethanol, assorted
cosmetics used textiles, used footwear, soap
handkerchiefs and used shoes with a total
value of Ksh10,693,391, at the border. The
detectives also arrested a suspect in
connection to part of the consignment. Should
those behind the racket have succeeded in their
scheme, the government would have lost
Ksh6,811,870 million in tax revenue.
The goods were misdeclared as sandals
manufactured in Tanzania to circumvent the
law on importation of contraband goods. The
suspects behind the scheme attempted to
sneak the goods into the Kenyan market in five
trucks before the interception.
The importation of the concealed used clothes
and footwear contravened the new Protocols for
Importation of Used Textiles and Used
Footwear into Kenya issued by the Ministry of
Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise
Development in August 2020.
The goods were seized in an operation
conducted by detectives from the KRA
enforcement units and the National Police
Service at the Taveta border following
intelligence reports.
Upon verification, the trucks were found to
contain other items apart from what had been
declared. The assorted cosmetics, soap
handkerchiefs, shoes and clothes were
concealed in the middle of bags of sandals.
Following investigations, Kenya Revenue
Authority enforcement detectives arrested a
suspect in connection to the imported Cargo in
two of the trucks.The suspect, Joseph Wakagwi
Ndungi alias Kiganjo was arraigned before the
Taveta principal Magistrate Hon. Benson
Sikuku Khapoya and charged with two counts
of importing restricted goods and concealment
of goods contrary to provisions of The East
African Community Customs Management Act.
He was charged that, on or about 1st October,
2020, at Taveta One-Stop Border Post within
Taita Taveta County, knowingly with others not
before court, imported restricted goods namely
assorted used shoes (mitumba), all loaded in
two trucks which could have caused a revenue
loss of Ksh1,075,505.
The accused was also charged that on or about
1st October 2020 at Taveta one stop border
post knowingly with others not before Court
imported concealed goods namely assorted
used Shoes(Mitumba).
The accused pleaded not guilty to the two
counts and was released on a bond of Ksh1
million. The case was scheduled for mention on
14th December, 2020 and will be heard on 16th
December 2020. Leading the prosecution in the
case was Mr Karuga Samuel. Efforts are
underway to track other suspects for purposes
of arraignment before court.
KRA is determined to detect and disrupt tax
evasion schemes and prosecute criminals who
engage in concealment and smuggling of
goods through our borders to ensure that all
individuals pay their fair share of taxes and the
right amount of taxes are paid to the
government.
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