President John Magufuli
After
managing to intercept smugglers with 11 pieces of rhino horns weighing
53.3kg and arresting four Chinese nationals at Kasumulu border post in
Kyela district, Tanzania Revenue Authority has reminded business people
and the general public to stop smuggling.
TRA’s director of education and taxpayer services Richard Kayombo
said yesterday that they have improved border protection technology to
address the rampant problem of smuggling.
Kayombo said immediately after the interception of the consignment
and the involved persons, customs officials in partnership with state
security agents issued a Notice of Seizure with reference number TZKR-
0008 of 06-11-2015 pending further investigations.
“Following the notice of seizure, the 11 pieces of rhino horns were
handed over to Kyela District Criminal Investigation Department (CID)
and were then given a letter to continue with court proceedings,” he
said.
Kayombo warned business people and the general public to stop
engaging in smuggling because they break the law, deny government
revenue and frustrate economic growth.
TRA assistant customs manager at Kasumulu border post Jomimassa
Nsindo said they are committed to monitoring and stopping all smuggling
activities at the border with Malawi as part of efforts to fight the
scourge in the country.
“I take this opportunity to warn smugglers that their days are
numbered and if they are not careful, they will be jailed,” warned
Nsindo who called on his Malawian peers to also reign in rogue business
people.
Smuggling of rhino horns and ivory from the country and other
African countries to China, Vietnam and other Asian countries has become
a big black market industry worth billions of dollars.
SOURCE:
THE GUARDIAN
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