An Auckland businessman appeared in court today in relation to the alleged smuggling of around two million cigarettes concealed in cat litter and face masks inside shipping containers bound for the Port of Auckland.
The illicit tobacco was seized by Customs this week after information was received from overseas border partners about two sea freight containers suspected to contain undeclared cigarettes.
Customs officers X-rayed both shipping containers that revealed anomalies, a spokesperson said.
“Subsequent examination found approximately 1.5 million cigarettes hidden inside cardboard boxes placed among bags of cat litter and face towels in one container.
“Approximately 560,000 cigarettes were hidden similarly among boxes of face masks in the second container.”
The two million cigarettes equate to around NZ$3 million in revenue evasion.
Investigators conducted search warrants at a business premises and a man’s residential home on Thursday.
The 41-year-old was arrested and appeared in the North Shore District Court today on six charges, including defrauding Customs revenue; knowingly importing prohibited goods; and knowingly making erroneous or defective entries.
Investigations manager Dominic Adams said this was another great example of global intelligence collaborating to detect and disrupt criminal efforts to defraud Crown revenue and New Zealand taxpayers.
“We work closely with our overseas border agency partners to disrupt the flow of illicit goods coming into New Zealand.
“Customs will continue to focus on identifying and targeting these criminal operations.”