GRA seizes $6M in foreign alcohol

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Tuesday seized a large quantity of smuggled alcohol at a location on the East Coast of Demerara and arrested one person who was subsequently granted bail.

In a statement today, the GRA said an intelligence-led operation by its Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID) led to the seizure of goods which included about fifty cases of assorted uncustomed foreign alcoholic beverages has a revenue value of approximately $6M.

The Revenue body said it is relentless in its pursuit of smugglers, adding that once caught, “perpetrators and accomplices can be fined up to three times the value of smuggled items in addition to the items being seized.”

It is also calling on the public to share information on smuggling and other corrupt or illegal activities that are geared towards reducing the payment of the correct duties and taxes.

During a raid in April, the GRA seized 730 cases of Heineken beer, 54 bottles of assorted foreign alcoholic beverage- including tequila and Absolut Vodka, along with 1072 bales and 48 cases of GT Smart Cigarettes and 10 smart televisions.

The exercise took place in the vicinity of the Two Brothers gas wharf, Parika East Bank Essequibo and 20 persons were arrested.