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The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and partner law enforcement agencies have seized assorted goods worth an estimated K22.5 million and impounded three vehicles confirmed to have been stolen outside Zambia during joint operations conducted from October 5 to 9.
The operations were carried out across Lusaka, Copperbelt, North-Western, Southern and Western provinces, targeting smuggling, illicit trade, motor vehicle-related offences and transnational organised crime.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Sunday, ZRA Manager for Corporate Communications, Oliver Nzala, said the seized goods included 14,147 bricks of cigarettes valued at approximately K14.1 million and 6,528 bottles of alcoholic beverages worth about K8.3 million.
He clarified that the amounts represented the estimated value of the goods and not taxes recovered.
Nzala said seven motor vehicles were also intercepted in Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces during the operations.
“Three vehicles — a Toyota Fortuner, Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux — were confirmed stolen outside Zambia and impounded on the Copperbelt following intelligence-led verification against updated INTERPOL information,” he said.
The other four vehicles were intercepted for customs and regulatory verification, with concerns identified over vehicle registration compliance, expired temporary-importation documentation and unverified customs-clearance records.
Nzala said smuggling and illicit trade undermined law-abiding businesses, distorted fair competition and put public revenue at risk.
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He added that cross-border vehicle crime exposed buyers to financial losses and supported criminal networks.
“ZRA will continue working with partner agencies to strengthen intelligence sharing, verify suspicious transactions and take appropriate action where offences are established,” he said.
Nzala urged importers, traders and motorists to maintain valid customs documentation and comply with vehicle registration and temporary-importation requirements.
He also advised prospective vehicle buyers to verify customs clearance, ownership and registration details with the relevant authorities before completing purchases.
Members of the public with information about suspected smuggling or illicit trade were encouraged to report it to ZRA.
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