MONROVIA – The customs department of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has uncovered a major tax evasion scheme at the Roberts International Airport involving a Lebanese national named Mr. Hassan Aidibi. Mr. Aidibe was arrested by customs at the Robert International Airport (RIA) while attempting to board Royal Air Maroc flight with a briefcase containing gold.
Report by Henry Karmo,
The incident, according to the LRA, occurred at about
Madam Decontee King-Sackie acting Commissioner General at the LRA told newsmen Monday that preliminary documents retrieved so far indicate that Mr. Hassan Aidibe was transporting the gold on behalf of GOLD BUSINESS CENTER, a business duly registered under the laws of Liberia and licensed by the Ministry of Lands, Mines & Energy on January 24, 2017 and up to June 26, 2019.
The exporter processed a Customs Declaration at the Ministry of Lands, Mines & Energy for 97.94 ounces of gold at a current market value of US$95,876 and made a 3% royalty payment of US$2876 into the General Revenue Account.
“However, our Anti-Smuggling investigators found out that the actual gold being exported by Mr. Hassan Aidibi was 56 kilograms or over 1900 ounces valued at over US$2 million. The royalty on the gold under seizure is estimated at over US$50K.
“This discovery is believed to be one of many transactions involving multiple foreign and Liberian-owned businesses. Taxes evaded by multiple businesses under this scheme is estimated at over US$200K monthly – an amount sufficient to service the payroll for at least 1000 police officer or healthcare workers across the country.”
She also told reporters that preliminary analysis by anti-smuggling investigation team suggests that such scheme can only be successfully executed with the involvement and assistance of individuals from multiple border agencies and the airline.
The consignment has been transferred to a government agency for custody pending full enforcement of Liberia tax laws.