AAP
December 03, 2012
MORE than 10 million illegally imported cigarettes have been seized in a sea cargo container destined for a Sydney address.
Customs intercepted the haul in the container of ceramic tiles after an X-ray identified anomalies.
Officers discovered it was filled with numerous cartons, estimated to contain over 10 million cigarettes.
This represents almost $4 million in evaded revenue, Customs said in a statement today.
Customs and Border Protection national manager of investigations, Kingsley Woodford-Smith, said that the smuggling of tobacco was a serious crime.
He said amendments to the Customs Act had increased the maximum penalty for smuggling such goods.
Criminals now face up to 10 years imprisonment or a fine equalling five times the duty evaded, or both.
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