The containers were seized during a raid at the Motukea International Terminal.
National Drug and Vice Squad (NDVS) members confirmed the products’ authenticity, or rather the lack of it, during a quality check of the containers.
NDVS Sergeant Thomas Moiyang confirmed that the two containers contained a total of 1,454 cartons of counterfeit cigarettes.
Sergeant Moiyang explained that the containers were 40 and 20 footers. The 40 footer contained 1,004 cartons of cigarettes whilst the 20 footer contained 450 cartons.
