Forged Customs documents used to clear and register vehicles
Police have charged two men suspected of being leaders of a syndicate responsible for intentionally evading Customs duties by using forged Customs documents to clear four imported vehicles from the Port Moresby wharf early this year.
Customs Chief Commissioners Ray Paul said the same forged documents are believed to have been handed overby the suspects, acting as Customs agents, to unsuspecting owners to register their vehicles at the Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited.
We believe there are other members of the syndicate out there and our officers are working closely with the Police to identify and apprehended them.
The investigations team is also working to establish if this was a one off case or if the syndicate has been running its illegal operations for some time.
The total duty evaded in this case including penalty fees amounts to K11,906.83 in total for the four vehicles.
That figure could well go up if the investigations team find that the syndicate has been operating undetected for some time.
– Customs Chief Commissioners Ray Paul
The two men were charged for forgery and uttering under the Criminal Code Act 1974 with additional charges under the Customs Act 1951 yet to be laid.
We are working on increasing penalties under the Customs Act and is anticipated to be completed and in force sometimes towards end of this year.
– Chief Commissioner
He said the pair, named, were detained recently after Customs officers noticed that the four vehicles had been removed from the wharf even though importation records clearly showed that all clearance and release requirements had not been fully complied with.
I want to strongly urge those who are involved in such activities or thinking of engaging in such activities to think twice. These activities are illegal and you will be caught.
– Customs Chief Commissioners Ray Paul
- Forged Customs documents used to clear and register vehicles - July 15, 2020
