FRCS Raids Valelevu Variety Shop
Officials from the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) are believed to have raided a variety store in Kanace Road, Valelevu yesterday.
The raid is believed to have taken place around 11am and items from the store are believed to have been confiscated.
The store was closed soon after the raid, while the shop owners have alleged to have left the premises.
When contacted last night, FRCS Chief Executive Officer Visvanath Das said he would comment on the matter after getting a report from his field officers.
Earlier this month customs officers in Lautoka intercepted surplus and undeclared goods amounting to $18000 that were smuggled into the country from China for a newly established family super- market.
Mr Das said in a statement that the company was issued with a Customs Infringement Notice of $10000 additional to fraudulent evasion penalty.
“Traders and importers are reminded that they must declare all the goods in their consignment and failure to do so incur fixed penalties of up to $25000.”
“Alternatively, FRCS may also prosecute offenders involved in fraudulent evasion of duties and taxes and those found guilty may face imprisonment to a maximum
of ten years.”
An Australian couple is currently facing trial for five counts of alleged importation and possession of drugs, arms and ammunition.
They were arrested after FRCS officers raided their yacht, Shenanigans, at Denarau Marina, Nadi in June 2018.
The couple was allegedly found with 13 bars of cocaine weighing 15 kilograms and ecstasy tablets with an estimated value of $30 million from their yacht.
Undeclared currency, guns and ammunition was also found on board.
Edited by Susana Tuilau
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