Recently, the URA team in Busitema intercepted a Toyota Harrier, originally registered as UBJ 938L, but disguised with fraudulent plates of; UA 846DD. It was transporting nine bales of uncustomed Kitenge fabrics and 55 screen-printed spun rayon shirting.

According to Joel Turiho, an Enforcement Officer in the Eastern Region, the operation started when the team received information regarding the vehicle’s entry into Kenya to load the fabrics.

The intelligence had indicated that the smugglers planned to evade customs by moving under the cover of darkness, but they suddenly departed for Kampala at 1:10 PM.

“The smugglers were trying to beat our intelligence, but our informer remained alert to every single move they made,” Turiho said.

As soon as the vehicle entered Uganda, the team, already waiting, signalled for it to stop. However, the driver refused, leading to a high-speed pursuit that concluded on Lugara Road, in Busitema where the driver and his accomplice abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.

With the help of a breakdown, the vehicle and its illicit cargo were secured and towed to the station, where offence management is currently ongoing.

By Olum Douglas