URA enforcement officers nabbed a Congolese national carrying fake dollar bills in five packages amounting to USD 100,000 each in Bwera, Kasese District. This was during a routine spot check in the area.
The notes were concealed in luggage belonging to Mukono Patrick a 24-year-old Congolese who said he was oblivious of the contents in his luggage. The suspect informed police that he was only a courier, given a package by undisclosed men in Democratic Republic of Congo for delivery in Kampala.
The suspect has since been charged on counts of possession of would-be counterfeit goods and illegal entry into Uganda.
Mukono had in his possession forged identification documents and will be arraigned in court on 2nd February, 2023 to answer to the charges.
The importation of fake money and counterfeit currency notes, coins and any money not being of the established standard in weight or fineness is prohibited according to customs laws governing Uganda.
Commissioner Customs, Abel Kagumire said URA recently launched a non-intrusive scanner at the Mpondwe One Stop border Post at the border with Kasese to curb concealment of illicit cargo.
He also cautioned traders against smuggling because it creates unfair competition in the Ugandan market for traders who are tax compliant according to URA The Taxman source.
