The South African Revenue Service (Sars) has seized illicit cigarettes from a number of Cape Town traders valued at R6 million.
The Sars Customs National Rapid Response Team, together with the South African Police Service (SAPS), seized the consignment on Thursday.
In a statement, the revenue collector said the raid had seen 443 master cases, each containing 50 cartons of various brands of cigarettes, seized in the intelligence-driven operation.
Sars said the operation was part of its heightened focus on illicit trade in cigarettes and tobacco products to protect the local industry and broader economy.
The revenue service said the involvement of other enforcement agencies reflected government’s approach in which various departments cooperated for more effective use of resources, greater impact and visibility.
Sars Commissioner Edward Kieswetter said the import of illicit cigarettes and other goods such as clothing and textiles, counterfeit medicines or remedies, as well as second-hand motor vehicles, amongst others, destroyed local industry and contributed to the shedding of jobs.
“These activities also rob the country of much-needed revenue that enables government to deliver basic services to the poor and vulnerable, such as old age pensions, and offer relief to struggling businesses and their employees following the recent riots,” he said in a statement.
Kieswetter added that there were also health risks for consumers, as illegally imported cigarettes did not comply with South African health regulations and posed a serious health risk to smokers.