Illicit Chinese cigarettes worth $340,000 seized

Illicit Chinese cigarettes worth $340,000 were seized on Monday from a ware-house.

Minister for Health, Rosy Akbar says the illicit cigarettes were circulated and sold in the country.

Akbar says they need to find out from the border control agencies as to how these cigarettes reached Fiji and has been circulating in the market.

Akbar says harsher penalties may be put in place to make sure activities such as these are prevented in the near future.

Akbar says there are fines for illicit trades which ranges from $5,000 to $50,000.

Akbar says any illicit trade of tobacco is a threat to national security and undermines the rule of law.

Akbar says the matter will be before court soon and this was the combine effort of the Health Ministry, Police, the local rural authority and the people who are concerned by what is happening in the country.

She has urged all Fijians to refrain from engaging in illicit trade and also to report about suspected tobacco products that are being sold or brought into our country illegally.