EFFORTS to combat illegal trade, overseen by the Illegal Trade Eradication Steering Committee, are being carried out effectively following the law.

On 21 and 22 October, the combined on-duty teams captured industrial materials worth K61.184 million without official documents from a container at the Asia World Port Terminal container checkpoint, industrial materials valued at K56.729 million without official documents at the Yangon International Airport (Import Desk), and illegal teak weighing 1.366 tonnes and illegal timbers weighing 1.284 tonnes valued at K1.124 million in Lewe, Ottara and Pyinmana Districts. The action was taken under the Forest Law and Customs procedures.

Similarly, the combined teams conducted inspections and seized an Isuzu box truck (worth approximately K15 million) carrying four kinds of industrial materials and consumer goods valued at K24.462 million without official documents at the Thanlwin Bridge (Tayothla side) combined checkpoint, five types of smuggled jewellery worth about 1.71 million near the Sinphyu border crossing in Muse Township, and a Mitsubishi Fuso truck (estimated value of K50 million) carrying 13 kinds of industrial materials and ten kinds of consumer goods worth K57.569 million without official documents in Hopong Township. The action was conducted as per Customs procedures.

Furthermore, a combined team supervised by the Taninthayi, Bago and Mandalay Region Illegal Trade Eradication Task Forces confiscated an unregistered Honda Insight (estimated value of K9 million) in Myeik Township, two vehicles (estimated value of K40 million) carrying two kinds of consumer goods and two kinds of foodstuffs worth K6.06 million without official documents at the Nyaungkhashay x-ray station, two vehicles (estimated value of K63 million) carrying seven types of foodstuffs and two kinds of industrial materials valued at K14.055 million without official documents at the Myitnge checkpoint and a Mitsubishi Fuso truck (estimated value of K17 million) carrying ten kinds of industrial materials worth K39.976 million without official documents at the Singaing tollgate in Singaing Township. The action was carried out in line with Customs procedures.

The joint on-duty teams captured 21 barrels of illegal petroleum and two barrels of diesel (worth about K5.962 million) in Pathein District, two kinds of foodstuffs worth K2.89 million in Ngaputaw Township, an unregistered Honda Airwave (estimated value of K9 million) in Hinthada Township and illegal teak weighing 0.479 tonne and illegal timbers weighing 6.92 tonnes worth K382,744 in Myanaung and Pathein Districts. The action was taken under the Petroleum and Petroleum Products Law, the Excise Law, the Export-Import Law and the Forest Law.

Overall, on 21 and 22 October, 33 arrests were made, leading to the seizure of illegal items worth approximately K475 million. The Illegal Trade Eradication Steering Committee has reported that unlawful trade poses a significant obstacle to the country’s economic development and significantly impacts the socioeconomic sector. Consequently, the committee has stated its commitment to intensifying efforts against illicit trading. — MNA/MKKS