(Busia) – Law enforcement authorities in Busia have carried out successful raids in the Sofia and Daban areas, resulting in major arrests and the seizure of smuggled goods. The operation followed weeks of intelligence gathering and targeted stores suspected of illegal trade.
The operation began with the interception of a vehicle, registration number UAH 073N, suspected of transporting smuggled rice from Kenya. The vehicle was stopped at 4:00 a.m. along Milo Nane Road and was immediately taken to the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) station in Busia.
In addition to the vehicle, enforcement officers confiscated a variety of goods believed to have been smuggled across the border. These included 1.37 cartons of Dunia Wheat Flour from Kenya, 24 bales of second-hand clothing, 5 bags of Bamburi Cement, and 4 Ling Long tyres. The operation also led to the discovery of large quantities of rice, including 17 bags of Muhamood Rice from Pakistan and 30 bags of Baraf Rice from India.
Other confiscated items included 15 rolls of Viscoe material, a motorcycle with registration number UFJ 911P, and a Toyota Rav 4 with registration number UAH 073N.
Authorities attribute the success of the operation to the collaboration between well-informed local informants and the dedication of the enforcement team. The team, made up of trained staff, remains committed to fighting smuggling in order to protect local businesses and ensure fair competition in the market.
The URA has launched formal investigations and initiated offense management procedures to dismantle the smuggling networks involved. The investigations are expected to uncover more details about the scope of smuggling in the region and lead to further arrests.
| Item Seized | Quantity | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Dunia Wheat Flour | 1.37 cartons | Kenya |
| Worn Clothes | 24 bales | Various |
| Bamburi Cement | 5 bags | Kenya |
| Ling Long Tyres | 4 pieces | Unknown |
| Muhamood Rice | 17 bags | Pakistan |
| Baraf Rice | 30 bags | India |
| Viscoe Material | 15 rolls | Unknown |
| Motorcycle (Reg: UFJ 911P) | 1 | Unknown |
| Toyota Rav 4 (Reg: UAH 073N) | 1 | Unknown |
Officials from Uganda Revenue Authority have reported that they continue to encourage the public to report any suspicious activities related to smuggling, as part of ongoing efforts to secure Uganda’s borders and safeguard the economy.
