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Jigjiga,
Ethiopia, January 2, 2010 – Customs officials in Jijjiga reported
confiscating 6.3 million Br worth of goods in the first quarter of the
2009/10 fiscal year, 5.5 million Br worth of which were inward bound.
The goods that were allegedly smuggled included electronics, spare
parts, food stuffs, cosmetics, building materials, medicines, and
clothes, while the outward bound goods included khat, fruits, vegetables
and livestock.
“Our branch office focuses on goods that are imported and exported
between Somaliland and Jijjiga and the surrounding areas,” Mengistu
Mekonnen, coordinator of legal issues at the branch office of the
Ethiopian Revenue and Customs Authority (ERCA) at Jijjiga told Fortune.
Over 20 people had been arrested, tried and sentenced from one year to
10 years in prison, while another five were awaiting trial, he said. The
courts were now giving speedier trials for such cases than before.
Sentences can go up to a maximum of 10,000 Br in fines and 10 years in
prison.
Once goods suspected of being smuggled are seized, they are either sold
or burned depending on the items. Perishable items such as vegetables,
fruit and livestock are immediately auctioned, according to the
official, whereas imported goods, if deemed useful, are sold through the
Merchandise, Wholesale and Import Trade Enterprise (MWITE).
“Smuggled goods like cigarettes, medicines and secondhand clothes which
are thought to be harmful for the society are burned, the process being
observed by a committee formed from the public, the branch office,
regional health bureau and the police, Mengistu told Fortune. He added,
however, that most of the smugglers and drivers manage to escape even
though they are spotted by the customs officials.
The branch is planning to establish 11 additional checkpoints, eight of
which are expected to go operational in January. These checkpoints will
be at Teferi Ber, Harshen, Gelade, Daror, Gode, Warder, Ferfer and Bare.
The branch is planning to launch an awareness raising campaign, which
may increase the number of legal traders, Mengistu said which are mostly
engaged in exporting to Somaliland.
Source: Addis Fortune
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