Contraband bust by Police wields Massive Bounty

By Lilian Sopera Keneqa – EMTV News, Port Moresby A contraband bust by the National Drug and Vice Squad has yielded almost 1, 500 cartons of counterfeit cigarettes held in two shipping containers during a raid at PNG Ports in Port Moresby. Officers of the National Drug and Vice Squad (NDVS) confirmed the haul during a quality check of the containers held at the McGregor Police Barracks. The containers were confiscated in March this year and taken to the McGregor Police Barracks last month, where they were held in custody until opened last week. [gallery size="full" ids="190212,190213,190214"] NDVS Sergeant, Thomas Moiyang, confirmed that the two containers contained a total of 1, 454 cartons of counterfeit cigarettes. He said the containers were allegedly imported from Philippines by a company based at the Kennedy Estate at 8 Mile as general goods and building materials. Sergeant Moiyang said that the containers were 40 and 20 footers – the 40 footer contained 1, 004 cartons of cigarettes whilst the 20 footer contained 450 cartons. “It is estimated that the value of the contraband cigarettes will be in the millions” Sgt Moiyang said, adding that the police are still investigating how the containers entered the country and whether the appropriate customs duties and taxes were paid. The containers were opened and checked in an inter-agency collaboration with staff from such agencies such as Customs, Migration office, National Narcotics Bureau, Department of labour, Magisterial Services, Clerk of Waigani District court, NCDC heath, and a member of the Manufacturing Councils of PNG.]]>