The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) has detected another case of suspected smuggling of liquor and cigarettes at the Port of Suva. Over the past two years, FRCS has conducted random searches on 60 vessels and seized undeclared cigarettes and alcohol worth more than $425,000.

FRCS warns that it will have zero tolerance for illegal activities detected at Fiji’s borders.

Alcohol and cigarettes are subject to excise duty on import to Fiji and the smuggled goods worth more than FJ$420,000 are lost duties and taxes for Fiji.

While monitoring the movement of vessels at the Suva Harbour, FRCS officers identified an unusual offloading of cartons from the pilot boat to a vehicle.

Upon inspection, 47 bottles of assorted whiskey and nine gross of cigarettes were detected which were believed to have been unlawfully removed from an international cargo vessel.

All smuggled goods have been seized and investigations are ongoing following the operation.

FRCS is determined to spare no effort in combating the smuggling of illegal goods into Fiji and is clamping down on all suspicious and unauthorised movement of vessels, crews and cargo at maritime and coastal waters.

FRCS is urging Fijians to report any sightings of suspicious activity in relation to offload from foreign vessels to local vessels at sea or at our maritime domain and play a part in disrupting such activities.

Members of the public can call us on 324 300 or 1326 or email info@frcs.org.fj.