DUSHANBE , April 25, Asia-Plus - alcohol drinks, tobacco products, gasoline and golden wares that are coming on the market in Tajikistan are mainly imported to the country illegally, Deputy Minister of State Revenues and Tax Collections, Bakhtiyor Sultonov, remarked at a news conference in Dushanbe on April 25.   

According to him, all these products are realized in Tajikistan without appropriate excise duty marks.   .

Raids made in the country over the first thee moths of the year have revealed more than 5,161 liters of illegal alcohol drinks for a total amount of 35,606 Somonis (equivalent to more than US$11,000). 

“Over the same three-month period, contrabandists have attempted to smuggle seven tons of diesel fuel, six tons of gasoline and four tons of fuel oil into Tajikistan,” said the deputy taxation minister, “Besides, a case of smuggling some 10 kilograms of golden wares from Dubai has been reported in January-March this year.”  

As a whole, Tajik customs officers have revealed 834 instances of violation of the country’s customs legislation over the first quarter of 2006.  

“A total amount of imposed fines has exceeded 213,200 Somonis,” Sultonov said, noting that some 179,500 Somonis of this amount have already been recovered.