The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) on Tuesday impounded a truck loaded with copper wires and copper scraps worth more than K40 million at Kaporo in Karonga.
MRA deputy director corporate affairs Steven Kapoloma said the goods were intercepted following a tip-off about a vehicle carrying animal hides that had concealed copper wires.
“A physical check on the 15 tonne van, registration number BP 4230 revealed that it did not only have animal hides worth K750 000 but also 320 bags containing copper wires and copper scraps estimated at K40 million [about $10 000],” he said in an interview on Tuesday.
Kapoloma said the vehicle belongs to Erick Banyana of Dowa, but the driver claimed he was not aware of the owner of the copper.
“The owner of the hides will be punished for attempting to smuggle prohibited goods against Section 142 of the Customs and Excise Act out of the country while the transporter will also be punished for conveying smuggled and prohibited goods outside Malawi contrary to the same section of the Act,” said Kapoloma.
He said three seizures have, so far, been issued, one for the vehicle for aiding smuggling, a second one for the hides which were used to conceal restricted goods.
Kapoloma said the copper which was attempted to be smuggled out of Malawi has also been seized since it is a restricted commodity.
The minimum fine for these offences is 30 percent of the value of the smuggled goods which could be around K12 million [about $30 000] while the maximum is 10 times the value (K400 million) of the smuggled goods and three years imprisonment with hard labour, upon conviction.
MRA has since appealed to all importers and businesspeople that smuggling or conveying smuggled goods, be it imports or exports, is a serious offence and when caught, the public tax collector will punish the offender accordingly.
MRA has also appealed to the public and anyone who is aware of the malpractices to report to their offices or the police and will be rewarded handsomely.
