Iraq foils 1.28 billion dinar smuggling attempt at Umm Qasr port

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Border Ports Authority said customs inspectors at Umm Qasr port identified irregularities in customs duties on 12 refrigerated trucks importing frozen red meat on behalf of two companies. The authority said the firms manipulated customs tariffs on frozen red meat shipments, causing a loss to public funds. The two companies were issued administrative fines totaling 1,282,986,000 dinar, which the authority said were collected in full through official receipts issued by the Southern Customs Directorate. The authority added that legal proceedings related to the case were initiated by the Umm Qasr Northern Port Directorate. The Border Ports Authority said inspections at all land, sea and air border crossings are continuing without interruption and that it is coordinating with judicial authorities to address irregularities. No further details on the two companies or their ownership were immediately available.