Harbour
6 December 2007
In a joint Operation the South African Police Service's (SAPS) Protection
and Security Services, Crime Intelligence and Organised Crime together with
Customs and Excise and Forensic Security Services seized several million rands
worth of counterfeit cigarettes at the Durban Harbour today. The team began its
investigation months ago based on intelligence that several containers of
counterfeit cigarettes were destined for our shores from the United Arab
Emirates and Egypt.
Initially the team detected two containers with a total of 4 400 master
cases of the Chicago brand cigarettes. However, intelligence indicated that
there should have been at least six containers in total. It was discovered that
the other four containers were reloaded onto the ship and as it was departing
from the harbour, the captain was requested to turn the ship around. A further
four containers containing a new brand of Chelsea cigarettes were found. In
total the consignment has an estimated street value of over a R100 million.
It is unclear whether the cigarettes were destined only for South Africa.
With the Durban harbour being the largest trans-shipment point in the continent
of Africa it is possible that our harbour was being used as a thoroughfare to
convey the cigarettes to our neighbouring countries. Apart from the possibility
that the cigarettes are being smuggled into the country to avoid taxes or
excise duties, which South Africa stands to lose billions of rand in revenue,
these cigarettes are also manufactured from inferior quality tobacco.
The team is currently working towards establishing who is responsible for
smuggling the cigarettes into South Africa.
It can be safely concluded that this is the work of a syndicate or a
smuggling ring. We welcome anyone who may have information related to this
crime to contact our Crime Stop number 086 00 10111. This year alone the team
seized over a quarter of a billion rands worth of counterfeit cigarettes in the
Durban Harbour alone. The boosting of capacity at the harbour, in terms of both
human and logistical resources, makes it virtually impossible for criminals to
achieve their objectives. The operation coincides with the initiative of the
Durban Harbour Women's Network where 204 women are employed and deployed.
Issued by: South African Police Service
6 December 2007
Source: South African Police Service (http://www.saps.gov.za)
