Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has intercepted a truck carrying smuggled goods worth K807,000 in Livingstone.
ZRA commissioner for customs Sydney Chibbabbuka has disclosed in a statement to Q-News that the truck was seized during a verification operation after ZRA officers became suspicious of the declaration.
Mr. Chibbabbuka says officers discovered that the consignment was falsely declared as Lactogen milk when the actual goods were assorted groceries which included diapers, coffee, butter and cooking oil.
He says after collecting documents from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, the officers confirmed that the consignment was truly assorted groceries and not Lactogen milk for infants as declared to the ZRA.
Mr. Chibbabbuka states that further investigation revealed that the importer had been making several importations that were falsely declared to avoid physical inspection and payment of duties.
He says due to the gravity of the offence and noting that the importer is a frequent smuggler, both the goods and the truck have been seized and will be forfeited to the state.
Mr. Chibbabbuka says the license of the Clearing Agent has also been suspended with immediate effect in line with the section 141 and section 149 of the Customs and Excise Act.
The ZRA commissioner for customs has since warned traders that are in the habit of smuggling that they risk losing both their goods and vehicles.