| – tracking suspect container of another $4M worthThe Law Enforcement and Investigation Division of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has been recording successes in relation to the interception of illegally imported tobacco and alcoholic beverages.Earlier this week the entity seized 34 bales of smuggled cigarettes in Georgetown.GRA said, yesterday, that a container of counterfeit cigarettes with a market value of over $4M is currently being tracked.To further boost its operations in Region Six, the organisation has established a Customs checkpoint at Crab Island to inspect vehicles transporting goods from Suriname to determine if the goods were declared and the applicable taxes were paid.“Vehicles found to be transporting uncustomed goods will be detained along with those persons in possession of same. Smugglers will be dealt with according to the law, subjected to taxes and fines up to three times the cost of the goods. In addition, smugglers will be subject to prosecution in the courts.”According to GRA, while it has plans and strategies in place, the support of the private sector as well as members of the public cannot be dispensed with.“Individuals and members of the business community need to act by sharing their knowledge of any illegal practice by individuals or businesses to evade taxes through smuggling, with the Authority,” GRA said in its release yesterday.Already, an “Intelligence Hotline Telephone”– 225-6687- has been established for the public who wants to provide information but fear reprisals.GRA said it is deeply concerned about the high incidence of smuggling of tobacco products, alcoholic beverages and other goods from neighbouring Suriname into Guyana. “The Commissioner-General of GRA is peeved that smugglers are evading payment of customs duties, Value Added Tax (VAT) and excise tax on imported goods as well as the payment of income taxes.These result in an unfair competitive advantage over importers who are complying with the country’s tax laws. GRA commends those importers who are complying.”The agency said that it has taken several initiatives to curb the smuggling of goods across the Guyana/Suriname border including the establishment of a Law Enforcement, Intelligence and Special Investigation function to enhance its law enforcement measures. “This also includes working closely with the Berbice Anti Smuggling Squad (BASS).”However, GRA stressed that in order for the work of the division to be successful, there needs to be more bilateral co-operation to address the issue of smuggling.GRA said that it continues to work with its counterparts in Suriname to exchange information on matters of mutual interest. |
