Some of the items intercepted/photo by SSRA
By Alan Clement
The South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) has announced the successful interception of a major smuggling operation involving illicit Shisha products concealed in two trucks entering the country from Uganda.
According to officials, the Anti-Smuggling Unit stopped the vehicles on November 17, 2025, at the Fogei border point after officers noticed inconsistencies in the traders’ declarations.
The trucks, which were reportedly transporting maize flour, were escorted to Juba for further verification.
Deputy Commissioner for Compliance and Enforcement, Col. Joseph Wani Loku, said a detailed inspection in Juba uncovered thousands of hidden Shisha cartons buried beneath legitimate goods.
“Upon reaching Juba, our team conducted a detailed inspection and discovered hidden items particularly Shisha, also known as raw tobacco which had not been declared at the point of entry,” Col. Loku said.
“One truck contained about 820 cartons of Shisha, while the other carried approximately 1,200 cartons, making a total of 2,000 cartons.”
He said the trader deliberately mixed Shisha with maize flour and mattresses to disguise the illicit cargo.
Col. Loku added that such concealment tactics reflect the growing sophistication of smuggling networks targeting South Sudan’s borders.
“We remain vigilant and committed to cracking down on smuggling activities that threaten our economy and public health,” he stressed.
The seized goods are now in government custody as authorities investigate those behind the attempted illegal import.
Assistant Commissioner of the Anti-Smuggling Unit, Mboriman Edward Mbory, praised his officers for what he described as proactive field work and quick response.
“This success resulted from diligent ground operations and thorough investigations,” Mbory said.
“After offloading the cargo, we confirmed that our suspicions were correct the goods were not just maize flour but were mixed with illicit Shisha.”
He said the latest operation demonstrates that the unit remains fully operational and ready to intensify enforcement nationwide.
“The anti-smuggling unit is alive, and we will continue carrying out more operations like this,” Mbory said.
“These efforts will continue until smuggling is minimized or stopped completely. Traders must declare their goods properly at the entry points, otherwise they will be intercepted and scrutinized here.”
The bust highlights persistent challenges at South Sudan’s borders, where customs authorities continue to battle revenue leakages, illicit trade, and deceptive import practices.
The SSRA said it will sustain its enforcement operations to safeguard national revenue and protect public health.