Entebbe Customs Enforcement has impounded 807 smuggled smartphones worth an estimated USD 42,626. The operation dubbed ‘Big Eye’ follows the revamped vigilance at the International Airport to curb smuggling and illicit trade.
According to Uganda Revenue Authority, the smuggling attempts uncovered at Entebbe International Airport have ranged from audacious to outright bizarre.
“In one case, a woman who appeared heavily pregnant was stopped and searched only for customs officers to find that her “baby bump” concealed 76 smartphones. Another smuggler feigned a severe case of elephantiasis, strapping multiple phones to her legs with airline baggage tags.” A statement from URA notes.
“Similarly, a smuggler abandoned her loot in a dustbin, hoping to retrieve it later but authorities had already caught on.” It adds.
Sylvester Kiwanuka, Manager, Entebbe Customs thanked the team for the job well done calling for more diligence in the fight against economic saboteurs.
Customs enforcement officials reported an increase in the use of ‘sharias,’ and tunics to hide contraband, as well as phones being stuffed into factory-sealed household items like vacuum cleaners and brand-new tablets.
“Smugglers keep getting creative, but so do we,” added Kiwanuka. “Our vigilance ensures that such illegal activities do not go unchecked.”
He noted that offence management procedures are now underway as URA works to bring the perpetrators to justice.