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Friday, 05 December 2008
Commissioner of Customs Danville Walker says the Government is losing millions of dollars in revenue from the import and sale of illegal cigarettes.
At a press conference Friday morning, Mr. Walker said the department has embarked on an extensive campaign to stamp out the importation of and sale of illicit products.
Mr. Walker noted that over the last two weeks the department, with help from the Customs Enforcement Team, the Island Special Constabulary force and the Jamaica Constabulary Force conducted field operations at 20 wholesales and supermarkets in Kingston and Western Jamaica.
According to the Commissioner, "Operation Smoke" resulted in the seizure of hundreds of cases of illegal cigarettes.
"We seized 217 cases of Marlboro cigarettes, 130 cases of another popular American brand, 90 cases of Benson and Hedges, 143 cases of Rothman's, 178 cases of Newport, which is a menthol cigarette which competes with our Matterhorn brand , 21 cases of Craven A."
Mr. Walker added that there is also an active trade in selling duty free cigarettes destined for export on the local market.
"This cannot be seen as trivial issues anymore," he said.
The Commissioner of Customs said his department will be redoubling its efforts to cut the supply chain by carrying out more inspections and targeting points of entry such as airports.
He also warned operators of duty free stores which are licensed by the Customs Department that they face severe sanctions, including loss of their license of they are found selling the illegal cigarettes.
Commissioner of Customs Danville Walker says the Government is losing millions of dollars in revenue from the import and sale of illegal cigarettes.
At a press conference Friday morning, Mr. Walker said the department has embarked on an extensive campaign to stamp out the importation of and sale of illicit products.
Mr. Walker noted that over the last two weeks the department, with help from the Customs Enforcement Team, the Island Special Constabulary force and the Jamaica Constabulary Force conducted field operations at 20 wholesales and supermarkets in Kingston and Western Jamaica.
According to the Commissioner, "Operation Smoke" resulted in the seizure of hundreds of cases of illegal cigarettes.
"We seized 217 cases of Marlboro cigarettes, 130 cases of another popular American brand, 90 cases of Benson and Hedges, 143 cases of Rothman's, 178 cases of Newport, which is a menthol cigarette which competes with our Matterhorn brand , 21 cases of Craven A."
Mr. Walker added that there is also an active trade in selling duty free cigarettes destined for export on the local market.
"This cannot be seen as trivial issues anymore," he said.
The Commissioner of Customs said his department will be redoubling its efforts to cut the supply chain by carrying out more inspections and targeting points of entry such as airports.
He also warned operators of duty free stores which are licensed by the Customs Department that they face severe sanctions, including loss of their license of they are found selling the illegal cigarettes.
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