URA retrieves 325 hidden smartphones

At Entebbe International Airport, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has seized over 325 cellphones that travelers had tried to smuggle into the country.

According to a statement from the URA, the smartphones were found during an operation they called Operation Holy Grail, which aims to stop travelers from smuggling phones into the country.

The statement further states that by the time Operation Holy Grail wound up, 325 assorted smartphones worth an estimated Shs 271m were recovered and offence management is underway.

The nation’s tax revenue is highly impacted by the smuggling of gadgets and smartphones. Additionally, it distorts market competition, giving smugglers an advantage over legitimate importers.

According to URA, Travelers hide the devices anywhere they think that they cannot be detected,  in the hopes that authorities won’t find them.

In one instance, according to the URA, the traveler thought he would not be caught and concealed over 39 cell phones within his body.

The statement discloses that 36 pieces of the latest models of Apple and Samsung were recovered from another culprit.

“Another man came to the airport with calf muscles that stood out so much that even the most accomplished Mr Olympia’s face would turn red with envy. The officer’s attention was drawn. From the smugglers super ntumbwe (leg calf) came 39 pieces of assorted mobile phones,” the statement reads

URA says that they lose more than Shs 800 million a day to smugglers.

In addition, the government offers financial rewards to individuals who report URA tax evasion under section 242 of the East African Community Customs Management Act.