9 Customs Clearing Agents have been arrested at Songwe Border Station, for allegedly forging invoices to fraudulently clear motor vehicles.
The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) made the arrest and no long after that, Mzuzu Magistrates Court granted them bail as investigations are still in effect. The Director of Tax Investigations, Steven Kajombo, revealed that the investigation is aimed at detecting and charging such fraudsters and any person who aided such illegal transactions. Following the latter, the Authority also arrested an importer that was involved in the crime.
The accused are in violation of the Customs and Excise Act which forbids an importer, an agent or owner of the goods being imported to use or attempt to use documents or invoices that have been forged, falsified or framed so as to deceive the Authority.