Customs seizes illicit cigarettes worth Rs. 180 m

A massive haul of illicit tobacco, 10 million sticks in quantity, causing a loss of Rs. 180 million for the Government, was taken into custody by the Customs intelligence Unit.

These counterfeit cigarettes were imported to Sri Lanka under famous cigarette brand names.

The Customs preventive ceased the 40 foot size container, travelling in from Dubai through a German company addressed to a fictitious address stating SIGMA Traders Pvt Ltd.

Those who claimed ownership to the consignment had given fraudulent NIC and mobile numbers.  

The cache is scheduled to be destroyed under the supervision of the Sri Lanka Customs and the National Authority for Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA).