Illicit tobacco seized
Custom officials prevent revenue loss:
|
Customs officials confiscate illicit tobacco worth Rs. 135.5
million |
A large haul of illicit tobacco was confiscated by the Sri Lanka
Customs Department (SLCD) in the presence of the media on June 10 at the
Trico Warehouse on Bloemendhal Street, Colombo 13.
Customs officials confirmed that the consignment contained 4.7
million sticks of illicit tobacco, valued at Rs. 135.5 million. The
estimated revenue loss to the Government in unpaid duty and taxes on
these cigarettes is approximately Rs. 107 million. The consignment
contained brands such as Gold Seal and Gold leaf.
The consignment was shipped to Sri Lanka from Dubai under false names
and addresses. The haul of illicit tobacco was sent to the country under
the guise of household goods belonging to a Sri Lankan worker in the
Middle East.
Arrangements have been made to destroy the container load of illicit
tobacco by relevant authorities. |
