The Guyana Revenue Agency says that for the month of January it seized uncustomed goods with a revenue value of $20m.
A release from the GRA follows:
Understanding the pervasive nature of smuggling, the Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID) of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has been relentless in its pursuit of smugglers and acting on information received and with the use of coordinated patrols, LEID has for the month of January 2016, had reason to seize a large quantity of un-customed goods with a revenue value of almost twenty million ($20M) dollars and detain a number of vehicles which were used to transport the seized items.
The countrywide enforcement campaign has netted a quantity of frequently smuggled items with the most notable items being foreign chicken and mosquito coils which have not been approved for use in Guyana.
For a number of these offences, the offenders have been identified for the first time. However, in some cases it has been noted that the perpetrators are repeat offenders, in which case the penalties are levied as payment triple the value of the duties.
It is important to note that the cross border trade has reduced due to the establishment of in-transit bonds in Suriname. This has resulted in the need for importers to containerize cargo, which gives more control as it relates to the importation of goods.
The Law Enforcement and Investigation Division will continue to work with the Task Force on Fuel Smuggling and Contraband in ensuring that the issue of smuggling is effectively addressed. Moreover, the GRA will continue to put systems in place to ensure its enforcement activities are enhanced. The effectiveness of this, however, is dependent on cooperation from the public as it relates to sharing information on incidents of corruption and illegal activities that are geared at depriving the state of revenue or results in unfair competition with the local manufacturing sector and legitimate importers. As such, persons with information can utilize various methods of providing information to the GRA.
The agency, however, has a switchboard operation; therefore, persons can call telephone numbers 227-8222 or 227-6060, extensions 3201 – 3208 and provide information to the relevant officials from GRA’s Law Enforcement and Investigation Division.
