Customs has advised a man was convicted in the NSW Supreme Court on Friday, 1 February 2013 following a Customs and Border Protection prosecution. The 2 men were fined $7,954,914 for cigarette smuggling and importing prohibited tobacco.
On 2 August 2007, Customs said the men attempted to import a container they declared to Customs and Border Protection as containing shoes. Customs and Border Protection officers inspected the container and discovered 150,000 cigarette sticks, and 12,926 kilograms of unprocessed tobacco leaf. The men were convicted of:
- attempting to smuggle goods;
- attempting to import prohibited imports;
- attempting to evade payment of duty; and
- making a false statement to Customs and Border Protection.
Recent amendments to the Customs Act 1901 have increased the maximum penalty for smuggling, importing or possessing such goods. If caught, criminals now face up to 10 years imprisonment and/or a fine equalling 5 times the duty evaded.
Source: Customs and Border Protection media release, 4 February 2013
[LTN 22, 4/2/13] [LTN 23, 5/2/13]