NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 3 – The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has intercepted a truck transporting contraband cigarettes worth an estimated Sh70 million in evaded customs duties and taxes.
The 40-foot container was seized in Busia County following a coordinated intelligence-led operation by KRA’s Customs and Investigations team in collaboration with other government agencies.
The truck, tracked along the Busia–Mumias Road, was found carrying 1,500 cartons of illicit Supermatch cigarettes.
The driver failed to produce documentation for the consignment, which was also fitted with a tampered Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS) seal to conceal the smuggling.
KRA said the truck and cargo have been secured at its Kisumu Customs Warehouse pending verification and further investigation.
According to KRA, smugglers are increasingly using sophisticated tactics, including concealing illicit cigarettes within legitimate cargo and disabling tracking systems to evade detection.
Commissioner for Customs and Border Control Dr. Lilian Nyawanda said the interception underscores KRA’s commitment to combating illicit trade and protecting revenue.
“Smuggling denies the government critical tax revenue and exposes consumers to unsafe products. We are drilling deeper into these networks to dismantle them completely,” Dr. Nyawanda said.
Under the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA), smugglers face seizure of goods, forfeiture of transport vehicles, and penalties of up to $10,000 or 50 percent of the goods’ value, as well as imprisonment for up to five years.
KRA has intensified surveillance across borders, leveraging technology and intelligence-sharing to curb tax evasion and illicit trade.
