The Ivorian Government will toughen penalties for smuggling in the agricultural sector, the spokesman Bruno Koné (photo), announced.

According to the official who quotes a decree approved yesterday May 3, the smugglers will now face a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of CFA50 million while the smuggled goods will be seized.

This decision should make it possible to further combat the phenomenon that has become problematic in recent years, affecting many flagship export items such as cocoa and cashew, despite the ban on land-based exports.

Let’s recall that in Côte d’Ivoire, smuggling caused a significant tax revenues shortfall.

Espoir Olodo