Vijayawada: The customs department destroyed illegally imported foreign cigarettes worth Rs 54 lakh at the central government complex in the city on Tuesday.
In a press statement, AP commissioner of customs Shaik Khadar Rahaman said the cigarettes were smuggled from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Korea, China, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Nepal and United Arab Emirates. The entire stock of 3,750 cartons had been seized in raids conducted in the last few days. “The stock included 54 brands, like Rothmans, Camel, Dunhill, Marlboro, Pine, Gurleen, King Edward, Dolphin, Manchester, Cleopatra, Dzire, Classic, Mars and Prince,” said Rahaman.
The statement added that the cigarette packs did not bear warnings signs and manufacturing dates. With the seizure of huge stocks, state-wide vigil has been intensified, Rahman said. He added more raids would be conducted in the coming days.
In a bid to destroy the cigarettes in a natural manner, they were dumped in a pit, which was filled with water and dung.
