Fed: Customs smash attempt to smuggle undeclared tobacco

AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-2005
Fed: Customs smash attempt to smuggle undeclared tobacco

Customs officers have smashed an attempt to smuggle 6.5 tonnes of tobacco from Indonesia
to Sydney by declaring it as a consignment of furniture.

Two 24-year-old Sydney men have been charged over the haul -- thought to be one of
the biggest seizures of illegal tobacco ever.

Customs New South Wales director DAVID COLLINS says the legal importation of an equivalent
volume of tobacco would attract commonwealth duty and taxes amounting to more than $1.8
million.

The men -- from Yagoona and Punchbowl in Sydney's south-west -- are facing a number
of charges including possessing and conveying smuggled goods.

They have been bailed to appear in Burwood Local Court on September the 20th.

AAP RTV smb/was/low/wjf

KEYWORD: SMUGGLE (SYDNEY)

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