Container seized with counterfeit cigarettes

A container with 10,770,000 sticks of counterfeit cigarettes, valued at Rs 355 Million was seized by the customs department on Tuesday,

The customs department said that the container was examined by the staff of the customs post clearance and audit division today at Grandpass.

The container was declared as chest freezers imported from Dubai on the vessel ‘ MSC Asya’ by an importer from Nugegoda, producing false information.

On the examination customs officers found 10,770,000 sticks of counterfeit cigarettes, valued at Rs. 355 Million.

The evaded payment is Rs. 300 Million. Investigations are being carried out by Deputy Director of Customs Kithsiri Fernando and C. Perimbanayagam, Superintendent of Customs Prabath Ratnayake and others. (Colombo Gazette)