UNDER the supervision of the Illegal Trade Eradication Steering Committee, inspection teams under the Customs Department took action against offenders of illegal trade in accordance with the law.
On 15 and 16 May, the combined teams impounded industrial materials valued at K692.159 million from 18 containers at the Asia World Port, a Toyota Hilux (approximately K15 million) carrying foodstuffs valued at K19.6 million without official documents at the Zathabyin combined checkpoint in Hpa-an Township, an unregistered motorbike and an unregistered vehicle (estimated value of K30.9 million) in Monywa and Kalay townships and three kinds of consumer goods valued at K21.985 million without official documents at the Yadanabon bridge combined checkpoint in Sagaing Township. The action was conducted under the Export-Import Law and Customs procedures.
Additionally, the combined on-duty team seized illegal teak weighing 3.019 tonnes, illegal hardwoods weighing 0.391 tonne and illegal timber weighing 2.819 tonnes worth K2.895 million in Nyaunglebin and Thayawady districts, two unregistered vehicles and an unregistered motorbike worth K12.1 million in Kamayut and Hlinethaya townships, a Kinglong bus (approximately K50 million) carrying consumer goods worth K128.861 million without official documents near the UPG factory in Paleik Township and two vehicles (estimated value of K152 million) carrying industrial materials worth K85.458 million without official documents on the Yangon-Mandalay Highway near the Kyaukse detour. The action was taken under the Export-Import Law and Customs procedures.
On 16 May, officials inspected seven containers at Asia World Port Terminal and seized industrial goods worth an estimated K97.6 million, as they were imported without legal documents. On the same day, a total of 645 pieces of white Moissanite stones in various sizes worth approximately K312.15 million were seized from a Chinese passenger who arrived at Yangon International Airport.
On 17 May, authorities intercepted a vehicle from Hpa-an to Yangon near the No 2 Highway near the Yangon University of Economics. The vehicle was carrying consumer goods worth K16.3 million without valid documentation. A Mitsubishi Canter truck transporting the goods, valued at K26 million was also seized.
In a separate case, a vehicle travelling from Thamanya to Yangon on the old Yangon-Mandalay highway near Max fuel station in Indagaw was found to be carrying consumer goods worth K25.08 million without supporting documents. The accompanying Ngwe Kyair Sin truck, worth K35 million was also seized.
On 17 May, a combined inspection team under the Kayin State Illegal Trade Eradication Task Force seized consumer goods worth K32.5 million at the temporary checkpoint in Yetha temporary vehicle inspection terminal, due to the absence of supporting documents. The Hino truck transporting the goods, valued at K35 million was also confiscated, bringing the total value of the seizure to K67.5 million. In Taninthayi Region, authorities conducted inspections at the Ayeyeiknyein ward in Kawthoung and seized undocumented industrial goods worth K57.82 million near a river jetty. In Sagaing Region, the task force conducted inspections near Monywa’s Industrial Zone and seized an unregistered vehicle worth K6.5 million. At the Kantalu combined checkpoint in Sagaing Township, consumer goods worth K32.1 million without legal documents were also confiscated.
In Bago Region, the task force arrested an individual for transporting 0.476 tonne of illegal hardwood worth K221,330 within the Thayawady District. Legal action was taken under the Forest Law.
Between 15 and 17 May, a total of 46 cases were recorded, with the total estimated value of the seized goods reaching K1.887 billion.
MNA/KZL/MKKS
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