Businessman fined D300,000 for importing plastic bags

By Sheikh Alkinky Sanyang Alagie Fatty, a prominent Gambian businessman has been fined D300, 000 for importing a container into The Gambia filled with about 1666 bags of banned plastic bags, declared to GRA officers as plastic shoes. The discovery was made at the seaport by a customs officer assigned to verify the goods. The matter was subsequently forwarded to the unit manager of the GRA and to the National Environment Agency for further investigations. Relevant documents were taken and statements were also received from all parties including GRA officers. The Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) and the shipping line CMA/CGM were duly informed of the offence in order to get the plastic bags handed over to GRA for necessary action. However, GRA contacted the NEA about this illegal importation of banned plastic bags and further notified that the businessman Alagie Fatty that he is going to be prosecuted. In view of the fact that the duty was paid, a fine of D300, 000 was imposed on Alagie Fatty pursuant to section 275(1) of the Customs Act and the said plastic be forfeited (seized) pursuant to Section 252(a) of the Customs Act. The plastic bags should have been handed over to the NEA for destruction, but since the NEA does not have that capacity]]>