The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is seeking to strengthen its fight against commercial fraud and tighten airport security, Commiss-ioner-General Khurshid Sattaur said yesterday while highlighting the addition of a baggage scanner at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri.
A $14.8 million scanner was installed at the airport by the National Competitiveness Strategy Unit (NCSU), after it was discovered that some travellers arriving in the country would tend to smuggle narcotics, explosives and other weapons.
The scanner was made possible through the Support for Competitiveness Programme along with backing from the Inter-American Development Bank.
At a demonstration exercise yesterday, Sattaur also said that some travellers would conceal commercial items in their suitcases to avoid paying the duty. He mentioned that the need for the scanner became urgent as he was made aware that passengers were trying to deceive customs by concealing commercial items and weaponry. He said that he hopes that through the installation of the scanner, they will be able to fight the “suitcase traders.”
“…We hope that the scanner will help to intercept those who try to conceal commercial goods and narcotics,” he said. He reiterated that the GRA is ready to clamp down on travellers who commit such acts, vowing that they will collect what is due to them from people who use suitcases to conceal goods and avoid taxes.
“Commercial goods are subject to duty but we get persons coming into Guyana with watches, jewellery, clothes concealed in their suitcases… people who doesn’t declare their goods but walk right through,” he said.
“But we want them to know… we want to alert them and every traveller that we are equipped with a scanner that is able to detect concealed items…items that were bought for wholesale purposes, items that must be taxed,” he added.
Sattaur also said he was pleased that he had something at his disposal that will enforce the laws. He noted that without the facilities, the revenue authority gains a stigma of negativity. “We are warning those who use their suitcases to smuggle goods that there is a penalty attached and they will serve once they are convicted. That penalty is three years imprisonment with a $25,000 fine. We want you to be aware that the airport has a scanner and it’s useful to fulfil its job,” he warned.
Deputy Head of the Customs and Trade Administration Karen Chapman explained that travellers who have nothing to declare will take their luggage to the scanner for further inspection where a customs officer will also review their file. “If commercial goods or anything harmful is detected by the scanner, the suitcase will be opened and thoroughly checked and the person would be charged for concealing dutiable goods. Say for example, if a customer purchase a 32’ inch TV and hide it in their suitcase, we will find it and the price for concealment is $10,000 and one year in prison,” she explained.
During a demonstration of the use of the scanner, a customs officer explained that if a red colour is picked up on the screen, then the officer in charge will check the luggage because red usually indicates the presence of weaponry, drugs and explosives. If the scanner detects a number of colours together, an inspection will be done for commercial concealment.
“The system is fast and efficient,” Chapman said.
The Chief Executive Officer of the airport Ramesh Ghir said that he was grateful for the donation made by NCSU.
He said that the equipment would help to modernise the airport facilities and further build relationships with the GRA.
He added that the airport will have another addition to its security system in the coming months. He explained that the airport is making provisions for an x-ray screening system that would be used to screen passengers departing as done in other international airports.
He, however, assured that the scanner that would be installed was different from other intrusive scanners that generated controversy in airports across that United States of America.
