The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) on Friday busted a racket of cigarette smugglers at Senga in Wakiso district.
In an intelligence-led operation carried out by the Uganda Revenue Enforcement officers on Friday, four people were arrested with smuggled flavored cigarettes worth Shs140 milion at Senga, Wakiso district.
The Authority’s Assistant Commissioner of Public and Corporate Affairs, Mr Ibrahim Bbossa, says the culprits have been arrested with several boxes of cigarettes which are prohibited on the Ugandan market.
The URA Assistant Commissioner of Public and Corporate Affairs Ibrahim Bbossa. PHOTO/Courtesy
He explains that the suspects tried to bribe the enforcement officers with Shs10 million but were arrested and are now being detained at Jinja police station.
“We are hoping that people can learn from this because the cost of smuggling is expensive. When you look at the East African Community Customs Management Act, if you are caught smuggling, the penalty will range from USD 5000,” he said.
He says three of their vehicles used to carry the smuggled goods have been also confiscated.
