General News of Monday, 15 March 2010

Source: GNA

Special Monitoring Team impounds 100 uncustom vehicles

Accra, March 15, GNA - The Special Monitoring Team of the Revenue Agency Governing Board (RAGB), has impounded more than 100 un custom vehicles in the Ashanti Region. It is part of a nationwide operations to arrest vehicles that come int= o the country from La Cote d' Ivoire and Togo on normal visits, but are registered by a clique who forge documents of the Drivers Licensing and Vehicle Authority (DVLA) and sell them to unsuspecting buyers. Mr Thomas O. Mills, Leader of the Anti-Revenue Leakages Monitoring Team, told the Ghana News Agency in Accra that the vehicles are sold withou= t duty paid on them.

" The syndicate comprise public officials and car dealers whose activities tend to divert revenue that should accrue to the State," he sa= id. Mr Mills claimed that Kwaku Bonsam, a popular Fetish Priest fell victim to the syndicate by driving a car that got into the country from Tog= o with a DVLA trial plate.

He said in Cape Coast, a public servant bought a car with the duty paper covering it, meant for pipelines imported into the country. Mr Mills cautioned the general public to involve the authorities like the RAGB and Customs, Excise and Preventive Service, in any vehicle transaction they make, by presenting both the car and documents for examination to avoid falling prey to the syndicate. He advised vehicle owners who have not done so or suspect foul play to seek assistance.

Mr Mills warned the illegal vehicle importers and those forging documents, to cover them to put a stop to the criminal activity since they would no longer be tolerated. He called on the public to assist the RAGB with information on the criminal activities. Mr Mills said his outfit was aimed at reversing revenue leakages and not meant to harass anybody.