The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has seized a consignment of over 9.3 million sticks of contraband cigarettes with an estimated market value of Ksh.281.1 million at the Port of Mombasa.

In a statement issued on Friday, KRA said the seizure thwarted an attempt to illegally import the cigarettes concealed in a 40-foot container. According to KRA, the operation followed intelligence-led investigations that prompted the Authority to convene a multi-agency verification team.

“Given the nature of the cargo, a 100% physical examination was conducted to ensure compliance with tax, standards, and enforcement regulations. The exercise involved officers from KRA, the Port Police, Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Anti-Counterfeit Agency (ACA), Port Health Services, and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA),” reads the statement in part.