ZRA seize, confiscate 2, 000 cases of alcohol worth K4.2M

A TRUCK carrying over 2,000 cases of alcoholic beverages with an estimated potential revenue loss of K4.2 million has been intercepted and seized Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).

Both the alcohol and truck have been seized and will be forfeited to the State as provided for in the Customs and Excise Act of the Laws of Zambia, according to the ZRA Corporate Communications Manager, Oliver Nzala.

Mr Nzala in a statement issued yesterday explained that the truck was intercepted after the ZRA Mobile Enforcement Unit received intelligence information that there was a truck that was offloading beer in a named truck yard in Lusaka.

“The alcohol was covered with bags of maize bran, commonly known as Gaga, and used to feed chickens.

“The alcohol covered under the maize bran was bought in from Eastern Province as a concealment method to mislead Officers that they were carrying maize bran,” he said.

Following this incidence, Mr Nzala urged all importer and transporters to desist from facilitating their drivers into such habits.

He warned that once goods were intercepted, there were far-reaching consequences not only to the owners of the products but the transporters involved.

“Zambia Revenue Authority, therefore, would like to retaliate its commitment to fighting smuggling of all sorts and liberating Zambia from economic saboteurs engaging in illicit trade.

“The general public is encouraged to report to ZRA all suspicious trade practices in their areas to enable ZRA to create a level trading ground for all legitimate Traders,” Mr Nzala said.