An attempt to seize an unregistered Toyota
Land Cruiser SUV which bore false number plates by Customs ranks was
thwarted yesterday after Minister of State Joseph Harmon intervened.
A source close to the incident revealed
that the vehicle in question is owned by businessman, Brian BK Tiwari. Tiwari
is said to have provided significant funding towards the APNU+AFC 2015
elections campaign. He was appointed an advisor to Harmon and also accompanied
him on many of his overseas trips.
Yesterday's incident came about after alert
customs ranks noticed that while the sports utility vehicle (SUV) was a
high-end and a more recent model; the number plates were of the PJJ series,
issued about a decade ago. As a result of this it was stopped and the driver
reportedly disclosed that the vehicle belonged to Tiwari.
Several calls were made by the driver and while the
vehicle was about to be taken into custody the ranks received a call from a
senior official of the GRA who told them to let the vehicle go. This was after Harmon had contacted the official.
A reliable source informed this publication
that the vehicle is one of many which have been imported duty free by Tiwari
with Harmon's approval. The contractor also imported high end
luxury vehicles such as a Rolls Royce Phamtom, Lamborghini and several others
without paying the necessary duties and all with Harmon's permission. This, according to the source, has caused the state to lose more than $175M in taxes.
 |
| Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally |
In
return the contractor, who also the beneficiary of a billion dollar settlement from the
APNU+AFC government under controversial circumstances, bought SUVs for Harmon
and Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally.
An observer who spoke under the condition
of anonymity said this matter should be the subject of an investigation by the
Special Organised Crime Unit(SOCU).
No comments:
Post a Comment