Illegal fags haul goes up in smoke
Total value of contraband exceeds Rs. 100m:
MOHAMMED NAALIR
Five million cigarettes worth Rs. 100 million unlawfully imported
from the Middle East including Dubai during 2006-2007 were destroyed
yesterday after the Government confiscated them.
The illegal cigarette consignment was destroyed yesterday by Customs
and Ceylon Tobacco Company
|
The cigarettes destroyed yesterday.
- Picture by Rukmal Gamage |
Officers at the Trico Warehouse at
Bloemendhal Road, Colombo.
If the illegal consignment was trafficked to Sri Lanka, the
Government would have lost Rs. 69 million in duty revenue, Assistant
Superintendent of Customs Vijitha Wijethunge told the Daily News.
The illegal consignment was brought to Sri Lanka in travelling
baggages of housemaids returning from the Middle East.
The illegal cigarette consignment comprised Gold Leaf, 555 Filter
Kings, Pine Light, Benson, Parliament, Giangshan, Embassy No-1, Hergta
Brand, Changbaishen, Cartier, Camel Light and Davidoff cigarettes,
Deputy Director of Customs Mali Piyasena said.
He said the illegal consignment also had expensive cigars used in
five star hotels and casinos. Piyasena said the illegal racket had been
continuing for a long period. Following the confiscation of these
illegal consignment there had been nobody to claim them, he said.
The consignment had been brought to Sri Lanka in the names of
housemaids to evade duty and other taxes. He said the Customs Department
tried to contact them but failed as fake addresses had been given. The
import of cigarettes has dropped largely due to restrictions imposed by
the Government.
The other reason is the duty imposed on the import of cigarettes. The
duty was increased by 300 per cent, Piyasena added. Customs Officers led
by Piyasena confiscated the illegal cigarettes.
Superintendents of Customs Sunil Premaratne and Anura Walawage,
Assistant Superintendents of Customs K.B. Tilak, M.M. Wickremasinghe,
W.S. Rangala, W.A. Sunil Santha, T.M. Wijesooriya, Lalith Sooriyarachchi,
M.M.P. Rohana, U.T.B. Alawathugoda, G.W.A.W. Piyasumana and Wijitha
Wijetunge participated. |
