Authorities confiscate more than Ks 140 million in illicit jade

Authorities confiscate more than Ks 140 million in illicit jade

Published on Saturday, 22 March 2014 00:22

MUSE—More than Ks 140 million worth of jade destined for illegal export to China was intercepted here on Thursday (March 20), according to the Commerce and Customer Affairs Department.

The officers in Muse's 105-mile trade zone were able to catch the smugglers after checking vehicles based on a tip that a vehicle carrying illegal quantities of jade from Mandalay was headed toward the border.

While the vehicle was being scrutinized by a group of officials, its driver fled. On closer examination of the vehicle, the officials uncovered a giant stash of jade weighting 430 kg, together with ten uncut chunks of jade weighing a combined 1,315 kg, plus three sacks of jade discs weighing a combined 95 kg and two other pieces of jade weighing 1,410 kg in total.

The total value of the confiscated jade is estimated to be about Ks 141 million, while the cost of Super Custom vehicle carrying the jade is an estimated Ks 20 million.

With regard to the confiscated jade jewels, jade discs and the vehicle, a Customs lawsuit has been filed with the Township Customs Department.

According to the Commerce and Customer Affairs Department, there are more than 20 frequently used illegal crossing points along the Myanmar-China border. Illegal trading of Myanmar's natural resources to China is done through these crossings.

Through these illegal border crossings, illicit export of live cows, snakes and turtles, aquatics, forestry and mining products from Myanmar is taking place. Meanwhile, through these same illegal 'bypass' routes, illegal imports of automobile and motorcycle spare parts, cosmetics, beer, diesel, clothing, electronic equipment, and handsets from China are occurring regularly.

The illegal export of goods such as jade, live turtles and snakes, and mining products tends to originate in Mandalay with the use of passenger vans or private cars. The goods are often dropped in certain villages, only to be carried further through  'bypass' routes on the border using different vehicles (or in the same cars with different number plates), usually early in the morning or at midnight.

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/authorities-confiscate-more-than-ks-140-million-in-illicit-jade/