IPNews-Monrovia, Liberia 6 December 2017- The Liberia National Police in collaboration with the Professional Ethics Division (PED) of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) have apprehended Alexander Success Ojogwu, a naturalized Liberian of Nigerian origin, in Monrovia for smuggling, money laundering and tax evasion.

In a complaint filed by Muti-Choice Liberia Limited, suppliers of the cable television-DSTV to the LRA noted that Alexander Success Ojogwu was persistently engaged in the smuggling of DSTV antenna, decoders and related equipment in violation of the Liberian Business Law granting it the right to sell as sole-supplier of DSTV equipment in Liberia.

In response to the tip-off, LRA Officers conducted internal data analysis on both its domestic tax and customs database and found that the suspect Alexander Success Ojogwu only registered his Business since 2013 up to 2016 January without paying government revenue associated revenue since he conducted business in Liberia.

The LRA in a release, disclosed that its Revenue Officers swiftly conducted an  undercover operation on the subject and found him culpable of the accusation  of illegal supply of DSTV equipment, including the collection of DSTV fees from customers and influencing customers to subscribe directly with DSTV Nigeria through a fraudulent money transfer scheme.

The LRA also coordinated with the office of the Solicitor General and the Montserrado County Attorney for the issuance of a search and seizure warrant on the premises of suspect Ojugwu. Suspect Ojogwu was caught for smuggling and selling DSTV decoders, satellite dishes and other devices at his home on Broad Street—an act of tax evasion.

Ojogwu has reportedly been carrying out his illicit deals under the disguise of operating an electronic shop at his rented home on Broad Street, and has since been arrested as of early Wednesday morning-November 22 during a rigorous joint security search and seizure operation.

He was arrested in possession of a Liberian Passport, which claims he is a naturalized Liberian citizen. During the search, 40 pieces of large satellite plates, 66 pieces of small satellite plates including DSTV decoders and several other accessories in large commercial quantities were discovered including cash of US$15,057.00. His smuggling activities have been undermining a legitimate taxpayer.

Meanwhile, the seized items including the cash of the suspect were turned over to the Monrovia City Court, and subsequent turned over to the Liberia National Police for criminal investigation pending court trial.