Smuggled wines, spirits, whiskeys, and rice are seized by URA

90 cartons of various wines, spirits, and whiskeys have been confiscated by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) from stores and bars in Busia Town.

The Busia Enforcement Team launched an investigation after receiving information from a URA partner about garages and bars that were involved in the sale of illegal items, leading to the discovery of storage facilities for unlawful high-end spirits, whiskeys, and wines.

The arrested group was selling alcohol in garages and bars without URA Digital Tax Stamps (DTS).

90 cartons of various wines, spirits, and whiskeys were found at stores and bars in Busia Town, according to a customs inspector in Busia.

With assistance from the District Police Commander, the Officer in Charge of CID, detectives, and URA officials, the operation lasted 11 hours. In order to monitor and stop the sale of illegal goods, several team members were also stationed at two renowned clubs in Busia and five stores.

boxes of various wines, spirits, and whiskeys found at Busia Town stores and bars

To safeguard complying taxpayers (manufacturers and importers) of gazetted products against smugglers and counterfeits, digital tax stamps were introduced on November 1st, 2019.

Among the thirteen product categories that call for the application of digital stamps are wines, spirits, and whiskies.

A taxpayer who fails to attach a tax stamp is subject to a minimum penalty of UGX. 50M under Section 19B of the Tax Procedures Code.

Stolen rice

The enforcement team seized 2.4 tons of long-grain rice in Namayingo district.

“Baptizing autos is a frequent practice among drivers. This Namayingo “consolidator,” who was driving an Isuzu Elf with the registration number UAV664R and calling himself City Boy, was unlucky when the Namayingo Enforcement team thwarted his scheme, the tax body stated on Tuesday.

“His trick involved burying 2.4 tons of illegal long-grain rice under the beach. To complete the sale, he even buried a branch in the sand. The enforcers caught him en route to a consolidation center in Nankoma town council, but they didn’t buy since they knew better.

With the key in hand, the driver hopped out of the elf and ran for the bush. At the Namayingo station, where verification was carried out, the vehicle was escorted there.

Offense management started right away, according to a statement from URA.