Cigarettes worth $65,230 were found hidden in a foreign fishing vessel after Customs officers uncovered 8340 undeclared sticks in a targeted operation last Friday.
The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) Suva Maritime Compliance Team made the interception on Friday last week following targeted risk profiling and intelligence shared by partner agencies.
FRCS said the cigarettes were hidden in difficult-to-access areas of the vessel in an apparent attempt to evade detection.
The discovery followed thorough searches by vigilant Customs officers using effective inspection techniques.
The agency added that the seizure highlighted the risks posed by undeclared goods entering Fiji, including potential losses in government revenue and threats to the country’s border security.
“With the assistance of Fiji Detector Dogs Unit and through close collaboration with our key partners, FRCS continues to strengthen maritime enforcement, detect illicit goods and safeguard Fiji’s borders,” FRCS said in a statement yesterday.
It said the operation also demonstrated the importance of intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement in identifying concealed items that may not be immediately visible during routine inspections.
