Australian Customs and Border Protection officers have done it again.
A container that arrived into Melbourne port from Vietnam has been examined at Melbourne’s Container Examination Facility. Instead of the manifested 5548 packages of Pandan Tea, officers have discovered the packages to contain 2.2 tonnes of undeclared loose tobacco.
This potential revenue evasion of this seizure is estimated to be worth 1.5 million dollars.
“Tobacco smuggling is a criminal activity because it denies the Commonwealth legitimate revenue in a blatant attempt to evade tax,” ACBPS Regional Commander Victoria, Don Smith said.
With the penalties for tobacco smuggling strengthened in November 2012 anyone caught can now face up to 10 years imprisonment or a fine equalling FIVE times the duty evaded, or possibly both.
