Customs, Port Authority to tackle cigarette theft
Published:Friday | November 19, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Nadisha Hunter, Gleaner Writer
The Customs department has vowed to work closely with the Port Authority of Jamaica to boost security at the port in an effort to stem the sale of illegal cigarettes in the country.
Customs boss Danville Walker said the move was intended to prevent the high number of break-ins into containers which have been the main source of cigarettes for persons involved in the illegal activity.
"As you shut down one thing, something else tends to happen because they couldn't steal it off the port in the usual manner," Walker said. "What they have resorted to is to break into containers on the port and steal the cigarettes out."
The Customs head said that in the past, thieves were able to steal the containers off the ports but the department has been able to prevent any such further activity.
"We are now looking at the security arrangements on the port because the question is how they know which container the cigarettes are in, so clearly there is a lot of inside information that is being used by people who shouldn't have it," he added.
Walker's response came after cigarette distributor Carreras Limited noted that illegal brands of cigarettes, such as Capital Menthol and Capital Full Flavour, were discovered in the Jamaican market.
In a release yesterday, Carreras stated that a number of 20ft containers with cigarettes, being trans-shipped through Jamaica on their way to other markets, have been breached at the Jamaican port.
A 20ft container with 400 cases or four million sticks of cigarettes has an estimated retail value of J$120 million. According to Carreras, the special consumption tax (SCT) and general consumption tax (GCT) that would be due to the Government from each 20ft container of 400 cases of cigarettes is approximately $60 million.
"Carreras wishes to emphasise that these illicit cigarettes enter into the Jamaican market without paying taxes required by law such as customs duty, the SCT on cigarettes and GCT," the local distributor stated in its release. "Additionally, these illicit cigarettes do not meet the required labelling standards for cigarette packs as set out by the Bureau of Standards Jamaica."
Earlier, Customs had issue a release warning wholesalers, retailers and consumers that the purchase of any cigarettes or tobacco products from unauthorised dealers is a criminal offence.
Persons found in possession of these products could be arrested for breaches of the Customs Act and the full penalties applied.