A special court in Damazin, capital of Blue Nile, has fined in SDG3,000 four traders accused of smuggling good to South Sudan. The fine comes instead of a three-month sentence in prison.

Judge Ibrahim Hassan has also ordered the confiscation of five trucks allegedly used by the traders for smuggling.

Damazin's special court ordered the police to hand over the confiscated trucks and goods to the high committee for mobilization.

The traders were arrested in Golu, Tadamon locality, and were accused of violating articles 198 and 199 of the Sudan’s customs law and article 34, 7 of the emergency regulation.

In a separate development, Sudan’s Trade Minister Osman Omar El Sheriff paid a two-day visit to Blue Nile to inspect the challenges stemming from the opening trade with South Sudan.

According to Ashrooq TV last Saturday, El Sheriff said the opening of common borders will reduce smuggling of goods, unemployment among youths.

It will also promote stability and peaceful coexistence between Sudan and South Sudan, he said.