ZRA seizes truck laden with 2,000 cases of alcoholic brews, as documents show bags of maize bran

A truck carrying over 2,000 cases of alcoholic beverages has been intercepted and seized by Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).

The alcoholic beverages had an estimated potential revenue loss of K4.2 million.

ZRA has, therefore, indicated that both the alcohol and truck had been seized and would be forfeited to the State as provided for in the Customs and Excise Act of the Laws of Zambia.

This is according to the ZRA Corporate Communications Manager, Oliver Nzala, in a statement issued on Sunday.

Nzala explained that the truck was intercepted after the ZRA Mobile Enforcement Unit received intelligence information that there was a truck that was offloading beer in a named truck yard in Lusaka.

“The alcohol was covered with bags of maize bran, commonly known as Gaga, and used to feed chickens.

“The alcohol covered under the maize bran was bought in from Eastern Province as a concealment method to mislead Officers that they were carrying maize bran,” he said.

Nzala, following this prevalence, had urged all importers and transporters to desist from luring their drivers into such habits.

He warned that there were far-reaching consequences not only to the owners of the products but the transporters involved once goods were intercepted.

“Zambia Revenue Authority, therefore, would like to retaliate its commitment to fighting smuggling of all sorts and liberating Zambia from economic saboteurs engaging in illicit trade,” Nzala said.

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