CUSTOMS CONFISCATE SMUGGLED GOODS
Solomon
Island Customs & Excise Division (SICED) has successfully stopped an
attempt to smuggle 228 sleeves of cigarettes (45,600 rolls) and four new Stihl
chainsaws last Thursday 23 February afternoon.
Due
to SICED's risk assessment, a 20’ container of mixed goods consigned to SOON
ENTERPRISE, a logging company, was targeted and then subject to a 100% check.
Part
of the Cargo that was confiscated by Customs Officers
|
As
a result of the search, Customs Officers discovered 228 sleeves of Dunhill
Cigarettes concealed in boxes professionally labeled as chocolate cakes. Two
representatives from the company were present during the examination. The
shipment was from Malaysia
The
examining Customs Officers who toiled for four hours in the hot sun were
delighted with the results. The examination of these types of goods is very
difficult but the dedication of Officers to find these illegal goods is what
motivates them each day.
The
Comptroller of Customs says targeting illegal tobacco is one of Customs Border
operational priorities. Customs is determined to stop this illegal trade of
tobacco in the Solomon Islands. Not only are these importers evading government
taxes, they also bring harm to the community by the availability of cheap
tobacco.
The
Customs Investigations unit has taken over the case and will determine what the
outcome will be after interviewing the importers.
The
Customs Act has wide powers and it is more than likely the importer will be
required to pay all taxes including penalty, and forfeit the goods.
The
Comptroller further advised that Customs has recently had success with the
interception of counterfeit chainsaws that were made to look like genuine Stihl
product.
As Stihl have a registered trade mark here in
the Solomon’s, Customs were able to seize 10 chainsaws that were destined for
the local market.
It
is important that the rights of the registered trade mark holder are protected.
Similarly
it is also important that inferior products are not sold to the general public
as there are no protections in place when these products break down.
ENDS///
Source: Government Communication
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