Customs hauls in massive haul of illicit cigarettes and molasses tobacco

The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) has seized 300,000 illicit cigarettes and 1,866 kilograms of illicit molasses tobacco in Melbourne. On Monday 24 March, ACBPS officers at the Melbourne Container Examination Facility referred the shipment for further examination, when an x-ray of its contents revealed anomalies. During the examination, approximately 100 cardboard boxes containing illicit cigarettes and tobacco were identified amongst boxes of household goods including blankets, plasticware and ornaments. ACBPS national manager cargo operations Jagtej Singh said the potential revenue evasion of this seizure is estimated to be over one million dollars. “Tobacco is considered illicit or illegal if it is not declared at the border and does not have the appropriate duty paid,” Mr Singh said. “Customs and Border Protection takes the importation of illicit cigarettes and tobacco very seriously as it denies the Commonwealth of legitimate revenue in an attempt to evade tax. “We are committed to combating tobacco smuggling through whole-of-agency activity in collaboration with government, industry and international partners.” During 2012-13, Customs and Border Protection made 76 seizures of smuggled tobacco products in sea cargo, consisting of 183 tonnes of tobacco and 200 million cigarettes, representing a potential duty evasion of $151 million. The maximum penalty for tobacco smuggling is a fine of up to five times the amount of duty evaded or 10 years gaol time.

http://www.tandlnews.com.au/2014/04/01/article/customs-hauls-massive-haul-illicit-cigarettes-molasses-tobacco/http://www.tandlnews.com.au/2014/04/01/article/customs-hauls-massive-haul-illicit-cigarettes-molasses-tobacco/