Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL) has destroyed 7, 150 cartoons of illegal cigarettes with an estimated street value of M505,900.
The products were confiscated as part of RSL’s ongoing strategy to deter non-compliance and combat illicit trade.
A statement issued by RSL yesterday said the cigarettes were seized from street vendors across various locations in Maseru during a joint sting operation by RSL and the Lesotho Mounted Police Service, known as Operation Osalama.
According to RSL, the cigarettes – which were destroyed at T’soeneng landfill in Rothe on Thursday – included Boss, Red and Black, Ossum, Chief, Malimbo, Sahawi, R&G, and Chairman brands. In addition, eight boxes of 100-gram Best Blend tobacco valued at M25, 200.00. and 15 bags of Tamputi valued at M1, 350.00 were also destroyed.
“The smuggled products had not been declared or subjected to excise duties.
“These counterfeit cigarettes are often sold for less than M20.00 per pack, undermining the legal market where products are declared and taxes,” the statement read.
RSL says it has a mandate to protect the public from illicit products and will continue to confiscate and destroy prohibited cigarettes and other illegal goods.
The organisation urges all traders and individuals to refrain from importing illicit goods into Lesotho.
