ZRA seizes fuel tanker for abetting smuggling

Zambia Revenue Authority -ZRA- has seized a fuel tanker truck for abetting the smuggling of 33,000 litres of ethanol into Zambia.

The revenue lost from the smuggling act is 1.4 million Kwacha.

ZRA Intercepted the truck with registration number LF 47 RN GP following intelligence reports about a cartel that was smuggling ethanol into Zambia by purporting that it was in transit to the Democratic Republic of Congo -DRC-.

ZRA Corporate Communications Manager OLIVER NZALA says the truck carrying the ethanol from South Africa, entered Zambia through the Victoria Falls Border in Livingstone with a declaration that the ethanol was in transit to DRC.

Mr NZALA, however, says the ethanol was offloaded in Lusaka before proceeding to Sakania border for the purpose of ensuring that all customs procedures are completed.

He explained that inspections on the truck at the border revealed that it was empty.

He says with this discovery, the truck driver was arrested to help with the investigations and ensuring that all those that are involved in this act are held accountable.

Mr NZALA says the truck has been seized and will be forfeited to the State.

He says ZRA calls upon the general public to join efforts by sharing intelligence reports to help dismantle these cartels for the wider public good.

Mr NZALA says the Authority has enhanced vigilance at the country border points as part of key measures geared towards stepping up the against illicit trade and counterfeits.

He says apart from revenue collection, ZRA’s mandate extends to protecting the society from proliferation of harmful products.