– clarifies lawsuit against tax body

THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is calling on all citizens with information on persons or businesses involved in smuggling, to relate such activity to the GRA via telephone number 227-6060 ext. 3204 -12.

The agency noted that GRA will treat such information with strict confidentiality.

The tax body, in a press missive, noted that on February 12, 2020, in a section of the media, a report from Robbie Outar underscored that he is suing the GRA for wrongful arrest and false imprisonment on December 31, 2019.

Since this matter has been ventilated in the press, the authority would like to set the record straight on the issues that led to the arrest of Outar.

The GRA stated that on December 31, 2019, Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID) officers, acting on information received, proceeded to Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, and observed several individuals who appeared to be loading boxes in one of two parked motor vehicles.

As the officers drew closer, shouts of “customs, customs, customs” were heard which led to the individuals trying to make good their escape.

The GRA noted that Outar, who was in the company of the group, attempted to flee in one of the motor vehicles but was apprehended. He was subsequently lodged at the Mahaicony Police Station for the offence and placed on station bail.

“The vehicle, which is registered to a known smuggler, was subsequently searched by LEID officers who found the Identification (ID) Card and drivers licence of another known smuggler therein. Both individuals (registered owner of vehicles and individual whose ID card was found) are both before the court for dealing in un-customed goods,” the GRA noted.

The GRA noted that one of the vehicles was returned to the registered owner since no un-customed/restricted goods were found therein.
The second motor vehicle, the GRA said, which incidentally had false number plates, departed the scene, and was later found abandoned at Mahaica Public Old Road laden with a quantity of foreign chicken.

Its owner was contacted but has refused appearance. Consequently, it has been forfeited in keeping with the provisions of Section 225 (2) of the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01.

The GRA said it will continue to be relentless in its approach to smuggling and tax evasion and those aiding and abetting such activity.

Section 218 of the Customs Act Chapter 82:01 provides that every person who:-
(a) Imports or brings or is concerned in importing or bringing into Guyana any prohibited goods, or any goods the importation of which is restricted, contrary to such prohibition or restriction, whether the same be unloaded or not with intent to defraud the revenue of any duties thereon; or

(b) Unloads or assists or is otherwise concerned in unloading, any goods which are prohibited, or any goods which are restricted and imported contrary to such restriction with intent to defraud the revenue of any duties thereon; or

(c) Knowingly harbours, keeps or conceals, or knowingly permits or suffers or causes or procures to be harboured, kept or concealed, any prohibited, restricted or uncustomed goods with intent to defraud the revenue of any duties thereon; or

(d) Knowingly acquires possession of or is in any way knowingly concerned in carrying, removing, depositing, concealing, or in any manner dealing with any goods with intent to defraud the revenue of any duties thereon, or to evade any prohibition or restriction of or applicable to such goods; or

(e) Is in any way knowingly concerned in any fraudulent evasion or attempt at evasion of any import or export duties of customs, or of the laws, and restrictions of the customs relating to the importation, unloading, warehousing, delivery, removal, loading and exportation of goods, shall be liable for each such offence to a fine of treble the value of the goods or ten thousand dollars at the election of the Comptroller; and to imprisonment for one year and all goods in respect of which any such offence shall be committed shall be forfeited.