MORE THAN 42 boxes of cigarettes of varying brands, with a street value of $9 million, were seized by Customs' Contraband Enforcement Team (CET) and the police Flying Squad in an operation at Vineyard Town in Kingston, yesterday.

"We believe this has placed another dent in the illegal trade which earns hundreds of millions of dollars for smugglers," said a detective who was part of the police operation.

The police, who theorised that the cigarettes were smuggled from China, said they would be intensifying their drive to arrest more persons in the illegal trade.

Police, meanwhile, said the illegal cigarette trade not only poses a serious health risk but results in a loss of revenue for the country as the required taxes are not paid.

Source: Jamaica Observer