URA Cracks Down on Sophisticated Smuggling Ring at Entebbe Airport, Seizes 807 Smartphones

In a significant operation named “Big Eye,” the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) successfully intercepted a sophisticated smuggling network at Entebbe International Airport. The bust resulted in the recovery of 807 smartphones valued at $42,626 (Shs162 million). This seizure underscores the URA’s intensified efforts to combat the rising tide of illicit trade at Uganda’s primary air transport hub.

Smugglers are employing increasingly bizarre tactics to evade detection. One shocking incident involved a woman who pretended to be heavily pregnant during a routine search. Upon closer inspection, customs officers discovered that her “baby bump” concealed a stash of 76 smartphones. In another case, a smuggler feigned suffering from elephantiasis by strapping phones to her legs using airline baggage tags.

The ingenuity of smugglers didn’t end there. A suspect attempted to bypass security by abandoning a bag filled with high-end smartphones in a dustbin, likely planning to retrieve it later. However, URA customs officers, tipped off and vigilant, swiftly intervened to recover the goods before they could be reclaimed.

Sylvester Kiwanuka, the manager of customs at Entebbe, praised his team’s keen attention to detail and swift action. “Smugglers keep getting creative, but so do we,” Kiwanuka remarked. “Our vigilance ensures that such illegal activities do not go unchecked.”

Customs officials have observed a concerning rise in innovative concealment methods. These include hiding phones inside traditional attire like ‘sharias’ and tunics, embedding contraband in factory-sealed household appliances such as vacuum cleaners, and even integrating phones within brand-new tablets.

As part of its ongoing efforts, the URA is emphasizing the need for stricter border security measures to prevent further revenue loss due to illicit trade. This latest operation highlights the authority’s unwavering commitment to combating smuggling and safeguarding Uganda’s critical tax base from exploitation by criminal networks.