K3 MILLION SMUGGLED GOODS INTERCEPTED

K3 million worth of assorted goods have been intercepted this month at the Nakonde, Tunduma Border Post for entering Zambia illegally.

The Nakonde Tunduma is Zambia’s busiest border Post.

Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) Commissioner Customs Services, Sydney Chibbabbuka, said several interceptions had been recorded this month.

Addressing journalist after the inspection of the intercepted trucks in Nakonde, Mr Chibbabbuka said among the intercepted items were four truck horses.

“For instance at Nakonde border in the month of January we had several interceptions that include four truck horses that we detained for abuse of Tax Identification Number (TPIN) worth about K2. 1 million and  K200,000 in taxes,” he said.

Enforcement activities, Mr Chibbabbuka said, were an important feature of customs operations particularly at borders such as Nakonde due to its porousness.

He also said ZRA had intercepted three trucks that were carrying second hand clothes which they did not clear correctly.

Another truck, Mr Chibbabbuka said, with smuggled furniture worth about K200,000 was intercepted .

“We also had 22 scanner interventions in

January for transits that were not properly declared to the Zambia Revenue Authority,” Mr Chibbabbuka said.

Mr Chibbabbuka said historically during the festival season there was an increase in smuggling because everybody wanted to make money to have a good Christmas.

He said smuggled goods included second hand clothes, furniture, fuel and building materials .

Nakonde border is a major link between Zambia and the Eastern African countries as well as Eastern Europe and Middle East.

Commercial traffic includes numerous vehicles  imported into Zambia, loaded trucks with various assorted products and empty trucks returning to base.