Prime Minister Gaston Browne Cracks Down on Customs Fraud: New Measures Implemented
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced a decisive crackdown on customs fraud in Antigua and Barbuda, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding revenue and combatting illegal activities.
This announcement follows recent incidents involving the misclassification of imported goods, particularly high-end alcoholic beverages.
In a statement addressing the issue on Pointe FM, Prime Minister Browne stated, “What I can tell you is that we certainly are closing down all of the avenues that we know about.”
He highlighted instances of forged signatures on duty waivers by officials and unveiled new measures to prevent such fraudulent practices.
One significant step taken is the introduction of a new electronic form to eliminate signature forgery and manipulation, ensuring that only the Finance Minister can preside over duty waivers.
“And we have also about to introduce a policy that only the Finance Minister will be able to preside over any duty waiver. So, even when I’m not an island, the acting Prime Minister will have no such authority.”
This centralized approach aims to enhance accountability and reduce opportunities for corruption.
Furthermore, the government is implementing stricter checks on imports, especially luxury items like Hennessy and other high-value products that have been misclassified to evade higher tariffs.
Spot checks and thorough inspections will be conducted to deter fraudulent activities and hold offenders accountable.
Prime Minister Browne also provided additional details about the enforcement actions taken against perpetrators of customs fraud.
He mentioned, “We are aware too, but it has been brought to our attention that there’s some businessmen in this country who are bringing in very expensive drinks, the Hennessy and so on and even beers and what they’re doing is that they are misclassifying the goods that they’re bringing.”
“So, for example, they will classify them as hygiene products and pay 15% instead of 45%.”
During his address, Prime Minister Browne revealed that a particular individual was fined $25,000 and required to repay $66,000 in taxes as a consequence of customs fraud.
“We are also thinking about going to parliament as well to make the fines more extensive too. There’s $25,000 when you’re stealing all the $1,000 worth of revenue, that’s like a slap on the wrist.”
He emphasized the seriousness of such actions, stating, “Now what we need to is the cooperation of the general public. They know these people who literally rob in revenue to just give us some little tip-offs and we will let’s say restrict this confidence address these issues.”
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All of this sounds good, but we the people of Antigua &Barbuda are still waiting on the evidence of your so called forged signature at Customs Mr. Prime Minister.
HUMPTY DUMPTY SAT ON A WALL HUMPTY DUMPTY HAD A GREAT FALL ALL THE KINGS HORSES AND ALL THE KINGS MEN COULDNT PUT HUMPTY DUMPTY BACK TOGETHER AGAIN.
What about political fraud ? Corrupt fighting corruption. Only me gastooon should get away . These corrupt practices starts from the top , they learn from their leaders
It looks like our PM is taking a page out of the Trump play book on how to become a dictator. Throw so much out there that people can’t keep up, leaving the ABLP to do what ever the dictator wants. A cult, woven from the cloth of corruption.
. So, even when I’m not an island, the acting Prime Minister will have no such authority.”
Is the Prime Minister saying that he doesn’t trust his ministers to carry out the policies of the Cabinet? I have said on more than one occasion that while politicians through Parliament passed laws it is the responsibility of civil servants to enforce the law.
In 2014 the new Prime Minister stop the ABST waivers that Sandals group was receiving stating that it was illegal. Am I to conclude that no one at the Inland Revenue department knew that the concessions was illegal? If that is so the leadership of that government department should be fired. The Comptroller of customs if he is allowing illegal concessions should do likewise.
I SAID WHAT I SAID AND STAND BY WHAT I SAID
Messing with the business people that has to hire the unemployed
I beg to say the waivers given to business places is the reason they’re able to hire the staff they have.
Unemployment coming as a result
the staff yall pay the bare minimum for working hard like slaves while fattening your damn pockets 😒
Correct for 💯 points John Public.
Business owners should wake up and see who this PM loves. The filthy rich only
Wonder if his son got call also
I guess to pay for all the waivers he got too
He’s not the only business person remaining in Antigua. Any help he gets should be afforded to all others. This now looks like a dictatorship
Always trying to look more holy than the lord himself. Just wait and we’ll show him, 3.5years remaining
…Mr. PM! A-Men! Amen! Ah_Men Ra
…Hooray! Hooray! Hoorah!
…It it now, these things happening;
…In Antigua, Barbuda and REDONDA!
…however, it’s very, very interesting!
…as, some of the People are crying!
…oh gad knows! De good gad has already shown!
…and, it goes back to the Flavians of Rome!
…no matter, where #Evil roam!
…Evil can never, ever correct #sin!
…therefore, before you begin
…to address all this #Forgery_Ring!
…and, accused them of stealing!
…why not have the #Forgers arrested
…then charged for #forgery!
…then, the People; will be more than interested
…and, believe I’m what you say!
…or is it because, some of the forgers
…allegedly, like #Free_Lande & Company!
…are card holding members, of the ABLP.
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg🦶🏿Garrat_Bastard
Vere C. Edwards
Y’all are so dumb, y’all will just not look at the success of free trade zones such as st Martian.. ST Martian is doing excellent for themselves and the people thrive living in a completely duty free country… but that sounds too good for Antiguans as y’all can’t gouge and rob and steal if that were to come into existence I bet! Antigua is so backwards… what really needs to be a topic of news is how Gaston refuses to run a corruption free party and Liat’s people still aren’t paid..
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