Illegally imported cigarettes found in Moz

Maputo - The Mozambican Revenue Authority (AT) has bust a contraband cigarette importing syndicate and recovered more than $2-million (about R14-million) worth of cigarettes, a report said on Wednesday.
The contraband cigarettes had been confiscated since January, the state controlled Televisao de Mozambique (TvM) reported citing Orlando Jose, director of AT's audit and investigations unit.
Jose said during the same period at least 19 local companies were audited and found to have false importing receipts.
By the end of the year AT expects to recover more than $10-million worth of illegally imported cigarettes coming in from neighbouring countries, he said.
Mozambique is also fighting against contraband foreign beer which is mostly imported from neighbouring South Africa by informal importers.However, Jose told the state broadcaster that inspection for illegal imports at the country's points of entry was not sufficient.
He said since January the revenue authority had only managed to seize 3000 cases of illegally imported alcohol.
Most of the contraband products get into the country through informal crossing points or after informal traders pay bribes to crooked border officials, the report said.