In response to an article published in the Stabroek News dated March 22, 2023, captioned ‘Poultry producers upset at chicken smuggling- GRA says addressing issue,’ the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) yesterday warned the public about smuggling.
The GRA said that anyone who attempts to import or export goods with intent to defraud the Revenue Authority of any duties is guilty of an offence and is liable for such offence to fines and or imprisonment in accordance with Section 218 of the Customs Act Chapter 82:01.
“In recent months the GRA’s Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID), with help from allied regulators such as the Government Analyst-Food and Drug Depart-ment and the Veterinary Public Health Unit, Ministry of Health, has clamped down on a number of operations involving illegal importation and movement large quantities of illegally obtained goods (including chicken and alcohol). Several persons were charged for these offences”, the GRA said. It did not provide any information on the persons who have been charged.
The Authority also reminded the public that uncustomed goods not only affect revenue collection but also seriously threaten public health and safety, particularly when goods are perishable.
“In this regard, the Revenue Authority urges anyone with knowledge of smuggling activities to report same to the Law Enforcement and Investi-gation Division (LEID) on 2276060 ext 3202 & 3206. Reports can be made anonymously and treated with the strictest confidence”, the GRA said.
On March 21st, the Guyana Poultry Producers Association (GPPA) called on government to urgently address the smuggling of chicken over the country’s eastern and southern borders.
“Poultry Producers are alarmed at the increased visibility of smuggled chicken on the local market. These mainly arrive via our eastern and southern borders,” the GPPA said in a statement.
“…Poultry producers are concerned about increased smuggling activities. It is affecting investments in the local industry as planning and forecasting becomes very difficult, even the importation of hatching eggs becomes hard to plan leading to shortages and decline in local production. In consequence, smuggling activities is disruptive to our national and regional goals of achieving food security,” the body added.
The group charged that checks with retailers revealed that the smuggling is done by city based-persons well known for this kind of activity. Sources say that surveillance and enforcement are being frustrated by the smugglers’ connections to persons in authority.
