RSL destroys illegal tobacco products

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Sewing Machine

The Revenue Service of Lesotho (RSL) destroyed 557 cartons and 76 cartons of illegal cigarettes with an estimated black market value of RM126,000.

The product is discardedThe Tshoeneng landfill in Maserurot this week.

Among the seized products, some were banned from the market, while others were undeclared.

RSL Inland Port Services Manager Lebohang Nokana said the cigarettes were seized between December 2023 and June 2024 at various ports of entry across the country.

“The cigarettes we destroyed were seized from December to June, and during that period the Basotho seemed determined to smuggle these cigarettes.Entering the country.

“The tobacco was smuggled by hawkers who did not declare or pay the required excise duty. The seizure was part of the RSL’s routine inspections to ensure compliance with Lesotho’s tobacco and tobacco products regulations,” said Mr Nokana.

He said RSLWasIts job is to protect the public from illegal products, thus seizing these contraband cigarettes.

“These illegal cigarettes compete with legally declared and taxed cigarettes in the market, undermining the integrity of the market. The RSL urges all traders and individuals not to import illegal goods into Lesotho,” Mr Nokana added.

He warned that buyingdRisks from the black marketeditThey lost money because the seized goods were destroyed and they were not compensated.

“When we seize and destroy illegal products, it is a financial loss to the smugglers who buy these products from the black market in South Africa. We urge the public to stop participating in such activities. Our next step is to confiscate any smuggled goods that have entered the country and are found in the market,” Mr Nokana said.

Mr. NokanaexplainRSLOuldCollaborate with other stakeholders to eliminate illegal goods and prevent their entry into the country.

“These undeclared illegal goods have a negative impact on the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) economy as they result in huge tax revenue losses. Therefore, we have launched a joint anti-smuggling operation with South Africa.”