Lunga Lunga: The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has reaffirmed its commitment to combating illicit trade following the interception of a truck ferrying 144 bags of brown sugar. The bags were concealed in a consignment of oranges at the Lunga Lunga One Stop Border Post, Kwale County.
According to Kenya News Agency, Customs Enforcement officers, acting on intelligence, flagged a foreign-registered truck suspected of ferrying contraband brown sugar for inspection. The truck was directed to the Verification Yard for a multi-agency inspection, which is mandatory under Section 153 of the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA), 2004.
Upon thorough inspection, a consignment of 144 bags (each weighing 50kg) of smuggled brown sugar, valued at approximately Sh1,080,000, was discovered hidden beneath the oranges to avoid detection and evade tax. Commissioner of Customs and Border Control Dr. Lillian Nyawanda stated that these efforts are part of the Authority's ongoing strategy to deter potential smugglers from accessing borders with contraband goods.
Dr. Nyawanda noted that the driver of the truck could not produce any documents regarding the importation of the sugar, violating Sections 199 and 200 of the EACCMA, 2004. The truck and its contents are currently detained at the Customs Warehouse pending further investigation by the Multi-Agency Border Management team.
Dr. Nyawanda further reminded the public that sugar importation remains restricted in line with government directives aimed at supporting and reviving the local sugar industry. The Authority remains focused on enforcing trade laws to protect Kenya's economy and borders.