The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has destroyed smuggled cigarettes worth K660,000 at Chunga dump site.

ZRA Corporate Communications Manager Topsy Sikalinda in a statement said 66 cartons with 500 packets of cigarettes were destroyed in line with the ZRA provisions of the customs and Excise Act.

“It is the Authority’s desire to ensure that smuggling is reduced or brought to an end at all costs in order to protect the Zambian economy because unfair pricing due to so many smuggled items on the market can distort the economy,” Sikalinda said.

“We have resolved  to seize and destroy all smuggled items as a way to get all smugglers out of cash as this is the best way of kicking them out of the system.”

Sikalinda said the Authority was trying hard to fight smuggling.

“One of the ways the Authority is trying hard to fight smuggling is by coming up with Time to Payment Agreements (TPAs),” Sikalinda said.

Sikalinda further urged taxpayers to take advantage of the amnesty on penalties and interests in order to update their tax accounts

“It is for this reason again the Authority is encouraging taxpayers to take advantage of the amnesty on penalties and interests in order to put their tax accounts in order by cleaning up old debt without having to pay interest and penalties,” said Sikalinda.