TRA seizes 2,304 litres of smuggled spirits in Kagera during a crackdown on illegal border trade

BUKOBA: THE Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), in collaboration with the Police Force, has seized 2,304 litres of smuggled spirits in Kagera Region during a crackdown on illegal cross-border trade.

The consignment, comprising Express and Lion brands equivalent to 115.24 twenty-litre containers, was intercepted at the Kyaka Customs Station after being smuggled into the country from Uganda in two Toyota Premio vehicles, registration numbers T525 DHU and T583 CKS.

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Information from the authority stated that according to preliminary investigations, the liquor entered Tanzania without following customs procedures or paying the required taxes, violating customs laws and denying the government much-needed revenue.

“Smuggling continues to undermine the national economy by reducing tax collections used to finance essential public services, illegally imported goods also pose potential health and safety risks because they bypass official inspection,” the authority said in its statement.

Additionally, the authority said it will intensify surveillance and anti-smuggling operations along border areas to curb tax evasion and illegal imports while calling on members of the public to report smuggling activities to help safeguard government revenue and ensure compliance with tax and customs regulations.

Speaking after the seizure, the Officer-in-Charge of Kyaka Customs Station urged traders importing goods from neighbouring countries to comply with customs procedures, pay all applicable duties and observe the country’s tax laws.

He said adherence to the regulations protects consumers, boosts government revenue and promotes fair competition among law-abiding businesses.