ILLEGAL trade can only be reduced and eliminated when the various dishonest methods involved are uncovered, arrested, and suppressed. The increase in arrests also indicates that illegal goods are entering the country monthly through various means along the border.

It is understood that illegal trade poses a major policy and procedural challenge for most countries worldwide. Illegal trade is conducted not only through unauthorized methods on the ground but also through various online channels. Therefore, to prevent the entry of illegal goods, it is necessary to obtain technological assistance and carry out the required research and investigation efforts during inspection and interdiction activities.

To prevent discrepancies between exports and imports in regular and border trade areas and to ensure that the values of exports and imports are nearly equal, efforts must be made to increase the quanti­ty and volume of value-added exports. Due to security con­ditions, as some border trade posts have been temporarily closed, normal trade is main­ly conducted via waterways. Even in normal trade, respon­sible authorities must strictly supervise export and import inspections and ensure accu­rate record-keeping without any weaknesses.

It has been found that some responsible departmen­tal staff and cooperating mem­bers knowingly failed to seize illegally imported goods and did not properly verify the lists of illegal goods transported by vehicles. These actions, driv­en by self-serving interests, including those of individual employees and their organi­zations, have prevented the state from receiving the right­ful taxes and duties in full.

Regarding illegal trade, staff members have been repeatedly reminded to perform their duties correctly and under the law. Therefore, effective action will be taken against those involved who fail to comply with the honesty, employee dignity, and established rules and regulations expected of each government employee.

Staff members must prioritize their organization’s interests over personal matters, and when the interests of the organization and the nation conflict, they must prioritize the nation’s interests above all. Staff members are also urged not to support or facilitate those engaged in illegal trade activities.

Between January 2022 and June 2025, a total of 25,231 cases of illegal trade were arrested, with an estimated value of K663.919 billion seized. The confiscated goods have been collected as state revenue. The government acknowledged the utmost efforts of service personnel for an increase in successful seizures of illegal goods, attributing it to diligent and honest staff, but on the other hand, plans are underway to investigate and take strict action against dishonest employees involved in unethical activities for personal gain.