Smugglers concealed up to 15 tonnes of tobacco in a shipping container as noodles and after searches at Sydney homes charges are expected to be issued, according to Australian Associated Press.
The seizure amounted to a revenue evasion of A$4.4 million (US$3.9 million) in duty when the container was selected for xray inspection in Brisbane port.
"Up to 95 million cigarettes and 236 tonnes of tobacco were been seized, that would have evaded $A100 million," said Australian customs chief investigator Richard Janeczko. "Since January we have foiled some 40 separate attempts to smuggle cigarettes and tobacco into Australia."
If convicted of smuggling, fines will amount to five times the duty payable of seized goods or a possible jail sentence.
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