Illicit cigarettes worth R10m seized at Durban harbour

Customs officials say they were declared as tissue paper.

The cigarettes were found after a tip-off about a container that was imported from an East Asian country.

South African Revenue Service spokesperson Anton Fisher says due to the recent riots, the vessel was delayed at outer anchorage and the container was only released a few days later.

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"However, once the container was scrutinised on the Transnet system, it was established that the container contained illicit cigarettes, which may also be counterfeit.

"This Durban bust follows an operation in Cape Town a few days ago when illegal cigarettes to the value of R6-million were seized, bringing the total value of the two seizures to R16-million."