The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has intercepted more than 9.3 million contraband cigarette sticks valued at KSh281.1 million at the Port of Mombasa, thwarting an attempt to illegally import the goods into the country.
In a statement issued on Friday, KRA said the cigarettes were concealed inside a 40-foot container and were seized following intelligence-led investigations that raised suspicions over the shipment.
The information prompted the authority to assemble a multi-agency verification team comprising officers from KRA, Port Police, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the Anti-Counterfeit Agency (ACA), Port Health Services, and the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).
“The exercise involved officers from KRA, the Port Police, Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Anti-Counterfeit Agency (ACA), Port Health Services, and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA),” KRA said in part.
Upon inspection, the team confirmed that the container carried 937 cartons containing a total of 9,370,000 cigarette sticks. The cartons were labelled as “Made in Sudan,” despite shipping records indicating Cambodia as the country of consignment.
KRA noted that the shipment transited through Singapore before arriving in Kenya and was reportedly destined for South Sudan. The authority said the discrepancies raised serious concerns over illegal trade and potential tax evasion.
According to KRA, the total taxes payable on the seized cigarettes amount to KSh83.39 million, comprising KSh38.42 million in excise duty and KSh44.98 million in value-added tax.
The authority said it will take further enforcement action in accordance with the law as investigations into the attempted illegal importation continue.
