The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) Flexible Anti-Smuggling Team (FAST) in Lilongwe has seized 600 bottles of illegal Chibuku beer that was smuggled into Malawi from Zambia.

The beer has since been destroyed in line with the Customs & Excise Act.

The seizure followed patrols the Authority conducted in places such as Lilongwe, Kasungu, Mchinji and surrounding areas and the destruction was conducted in Area 28, Kanengo, in the presence of MRA and Chibuku Products (Malawi) officials.

The destruction was manifested through draining contents of the beer into a tanker and pumping out the liquid into a sewer at Kauma Sewage. Importation of beer is restricted under the Control of Goods Act and requires an Import License. Seized restricted goods without an Import License are forfeited to the Government.

From December 2019 to August 2020, MRA through its patrol teams, has impounded over 17,895 litres of smuggled opaque beer valued at K10, 121,020.00 which has been destroyed.

Against this background, the Authority is advising all Malawians to avoid smuggling goods into the country. Those found will be punished in line with the country’s laws.

Source:MRA