Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) officials at Loitoktok on Monday impounded two lorries found smuggling ethanol whose excise duty is valued at Sh35 million.
The lorries were impounded at Kimana trading Centre along Loitoktok- Email road in Loitoktok Sub County
While speaking to the media, KRA Station Manager Loitoktok Custom border Station Patrick Omondi said through intelligence from locals they succeeded in intercepting the two lorries that were ferrying 72000 litres whose duty is Sh35 million.
Omondi further said that on December 23, last year they also intercepted a truck with 29,750 litres of ethanol whose tax due is Sh14 million.
He said the two lorries are detained at Loitoktok KRA station and one driver was arrested while his accomplices managed to escape.
Omondi said within a period of two months, KRA has managed to confiscate ethanol whose taxes due is Sh60 million which is tax loss to the government.
He said the smugglers are taking advantage of the porous Kenya – Tanzania boarder to smuggle ethanol from Tanzania.
The KRA Manager pointed out that his office is partnering with local residents and security apparatus to identify the mode of smuggling deployed by smugglers.
Omondi urged those in businesses to use legitimate border entry points when conducting their businesses and avoid going for shortcuts which in the long run become very costly.
He reiterated the need of doing legitimate business to enable the government get revenue to carry out development and meet other needs which are beneficial to their businesses adding that KRA is out to facilitate and help any businessman do their businesses legally.
By Kimani Tirus and Kaaka Koromo
