Customs to destroy counterfeit cigarettes valued at over Rs. 152 million

Sri Lanka Customs is set to destroy a large consignment of counterfeit brand cigarettes amounting to more than Rs. 152 million. The consignment was unlawfully imported into the country concealed under a cover load of A4 paper, Sri Lanka Customs said. 

The destruction process will be carried out tomorrow (14) at Western Power Company (Pvt) Ltd., Muthurajawela, under the direct supervision of Sri Lanka Customs officers. 

On 27 February 2023, based on credible intelligence, officers of the Revenue Task Force (RTF – Mobile Unit) initiated an investigation into a 40-foot container declared as containing A4 printing papers.

The consignment had been shipped from Sihanoukville, Cambodia and was manifested as a transshipment cargo bound for Somalia. 

Preliminary examination at the JCT Terminal on 8 March 2023 revealed that the container likely contained a large quantity of cigarettes in addition to the declared A4 papers. The container was detained and transferred to the RTF Examination Yard, Orugodawatta, under Customs supervision.