KRA Seizes Sh281 Million Worth of Contraband Cigarettes at Mombasa Port
In a statement issued on Friday, KRA said the cigarettes were concealed in a 40-foot container and were seized following intelligence-led investigations
By : Mweru Mbugua
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has intercepted more than 9.3 million sticks of contraband cigarettes valued at Ksh.281.1 million at the Port of Mombasa, foiling an attempt to illegally import the goods into the country
In a statement issued on Friday, KRA said the cigarettes were concealed in a 40-foot container and were seized following intelligence-led investigations
The operation prompted the Authority to convene a multi-agency verification team to inspect the suspicious cargo
“Given the nature of the consignment, a 100 per cent physical examination was conducted to ensure compliance with tax, standards, and enforcement regulations,” KRA said
The exercise involved officers from KRA, the Port Police, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the Anti-Counterfeit Agency (ACA), Port Health Services, and the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA)
The inspection revealed that the container was carrying 937 cartons containing a total of 9,370,000 cigarette sticks
The cartons were labelled “Made in Sudan,” despite the country of consignment being Cambodia
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According to KRA, the shipment was routed through Singapore before arriving in Kenya and was reportedly destined for South Sudan
The Authority noted that the total taxes payable on the intercepted consignment amount to Ksh.83.39 million, comprising Ksh.38.42 million in excise duty and Ksh.44.98 million in value-added tax (VAT)
KRA reiterated its commitment to combating illicit trade and safeguarding government revenue through enhanced surveillance and coordinated enforcement at key entry points, including the Port of Mombasa
