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Kinyarwanda
The Rwanda National Police (RNP) Revenue Protection Unit, on November 14 intercepted a truck loaded with 10 tons coffee that was being smuggled to Uganda.
Drocella Mukashyaka, the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Taxpayer Services at Rwanda Revenue Authority said the Ugandan-registered truck had brought goods into the country and was bound to return back empty “but decided to load coffee beans without papers.”
“We learnt about the possible smuggling of coffee and the Revenue Protection Unit, through its investigators acted swiftly and intercepted the truck that was loaded without customs papers,” said Mukashyaka.
The coffee had been transported to from Bugesera to Kigali, where it was loaded on another vehicle that was bound to Uganda, the driver of the intercepted truck, explained.
Mukashyaka said: “We could not have succeed without the Police help that’s why we are very thankful to Rwanda National Police for their continued efforts in ensuring no illegal business is conducted on the Rwandan territory.”
According to Mukashyaka, there is no need for anyone to violate procedures like acquiring certificate of origin, since RRA does not impose any tax on exports.
“These procedures helps us have national statistics but also facilitates control as a beneficial business to the country,” she said.
Dr. Celestin Gatarayiha, the Coffee Division Manager at National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), said that smuggling coffee has negative impact on both the exporter and Rwanda at large.
“Parchment coffee is not allowed to be exported since it’s not fully-washed to qualify on external market,” Dr. Gatarayiha said.
He went on to say that the driver who was caught will be charged as the law stipulates. Investigations are still underway to apprehend all those connected to this illegal business.
“We appreciate and commend the alertness of Rwanda National Police and RRA for their collaboration with other institutions and the public, and their effort to prevent such infractions,” said Gatarayiha.
He called on farmers to always provide the Police with information regarding anyone who may be involved in such illegal dealings.
