| Illicit cigarettes confiscated in Avoca, Durban area | |
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| Date Published: | 2014/05/25 |
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Media Statement from KwaZulu Natal
Media Centre 25 May 2014 On Friday, 23 May 2014, the KwaDukuza Task Team and Chatsworth Crime Intelligence Unit received information about illicit cigarettes in Avoca area in Durban. Members proceeded to the said place and found a 29-year-old male; they then searched the house and found 1498 cartons of cigarettes which are non-compliant in terms of the Tobacco Products Control Act and the Customs and Excise Act. The total value of the illicit cigarettes are R400 000. The cigarettes are illegal because there is no SA diamond stamp imprinted on the cigarette packets; the tar content is 14mg instead of 12 mg which is in line with the South African standard. There are no health warnings on the packet and the information is written in Portuguese language. There is no reduced ignition propensity marking on the pack. The 29-year-old was then arrested and charged according to Customs and Excise Act and for dealing in illegal cigarettes. He will appear in the Durban Magistrates' Court on Monday, 26 May 2014. The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni applauded the members for the stunning work of eradicating illegal cigarettes in the province. -End- Media Enquiries: Captain Thulani Zwane Mobile: 071 683 6525 KwaZulu-Natal:
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