Expat fined K2,700 for smuggling cigarettes

AN attempt by an expatriate to smuggle foreign brand cigarettes into the country was foiled by Customs officials who discovered the contraband in his suitcase.
Caretaker Customs Commissioner John Pomoso said the cigarettes were estimated to cost around K3,000 in the streets of Port Moresby.
He said another 18 cartons of undeclared foreign brand cigarettes were found in his possessions.
The 56-year-old Filipino is employed in the Liquefied Natural Gas project and had arrived in Port Moresby on an Air Nuigini flight from Hong Kong. 
“The Papua New Guinea Customs Service is once again advising all international travellers to respect and abide by Papua New Guinea’s laws.
They must refrain from engaging in illegal activities,” Pomoso said.
Customs said the man was trying to conceal the contents of his cargo and sneak past them.
“The ‘Mighty’ brand cigarettes were found to be carefully concealed in a home-made secret compartment within the foreigner’s suitcase as well as two other smaller bags he was carrying,” Pomoso said.
He said the foreigner would have paid only K900 in import duty had he declared his cargo.
“But instead he ended up paying K2,700 after the penalty cost was added to the import duty. 
“Customs does not tolerate foreigners who are ignorant or show little or no respect at all for PNG’s laws, while travelling in for work or to engage in business activities,” Pomoso said.
“This is not the first time; there had been many similar instances in the past.
“Customs stance on smuggling, trans-national crime and corruption at the beginning of this New Year is no different to that of previous years.
“Already this year, an importer was arrested and charged in Lae for attempting to bribe a Customs officer.
“And a Customs officer was arrested and charged last Friday for attempting to solicit money from an importer.”