TUJILIJILI EXPOSE’ WIDENS

DAILY Nation’s expose of the illicit production, distribution and marketing of fake brands of spirits such as brandy, gin and whisky has started yielding positive results with the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) smashing a syndicate of illegal imports of large amounts of ethanol into the country and promising to go after the real culprits.

Last month the Nation revealed that Government was losing billions of kwacha through unscrupulous traders who had been importing ethanol which they blended into take whisky, brandy, vodka and other spirits for which they were not paying taxes.

THE Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) will carry out random and extensive inspections on all businesses suspected to be manufacturing illicit alcohol popularly known as Tujili-jili or Junta.

This follows among others, the interception of four trucks carrying 90 percent pure ethanol worth K3 million at its Kapiri Mposhi Customs Enforcement centre declared as empty bottles in transit.

ZRA Corporate Communications Manager, Topsy Sikalinda, said the suspected individuals and businesses were involved in tax evasion through the manufacturing of illicit alcohol.

Mr Sikalinda said ZRA had noted that ethanol smuggling was on the rise leading to the manufacturing of illicit alcohol popularly known as Tujili-jili or Junta.

Mr Sikalinda said this in a statement.

“The continuous review of importation procedures for ethanol which is used to manufacture illicit alcohol will protect the vulnerable youths who are more prone to the abuse of illicit drugs and alcohol.

“Smuggling of goods through false declarations, transit fraud, mis lassifi ations underdeclarations, and under-valuations is a serious offence and offenders will be dealt with in accordance with the Law,” he said.

In a related event, ZRA seized a truck load of Konyagi alcohol which was deli erately mis lassified as building materials to defraud the state of K 729, 820.

Mr Sikalinda said if the alcohol was cleared as hardware, it would have paid K43, 698 instead of K729, 820.

“Tthe truck which initially did not want to pass through the scanner was forced to pass through the s anner after alert ustoms offi ers suspected something wrong with the paperwork.

“After the containerised truck passed through the scanner, it was discovered that the declared building materials were in fact alcohol.

The truck which was destined for Lusaka has since been detained and issued with a seizure notice.”