Southern California Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials reportedly caught a large number of illegally imported cigarettes intercepted from two cruise passengers last month.
The CBP press release said officers assigned to Los Angeles/Long Beach Harbour found about 150,000 cigarettes and a couple who had stored 749 cartons in 10 luggage on April 17, according to a CBP press release.
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CBP estimates seizures (including but not limited to 326 cartons of Newport 100s and 210 cartons of Marlboro Gold) to be worth approximately $59,920, assuming the low-end selling price is $80 per unit.
CBP's strategic media participation division is responsible for most of the US's strategic media participation branch, Jaime Ruiz, told Fox News Digital. Ruiz calls it "one of the biggest we've seen in Los Angeles: Long Beach Harbour Complex."
Two women reportedly found nearly 150,000 banned cigarettes in Los Angeles/Long Beach Harbour. (US Customs and Border Protection | iStock)
The women showed them inspection after getting off the Long Beach Cruise Terminal, and found a cigarette hiding place.
Despite the purchase receipt provided, they still cannot obtain a license to transport such tobacco products.
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“Selling illegally imported cigarettes could lead to high profits for underground suppliers because of the low cost of cigarettes when purchasing overseas and evading import taxes,” said Africa R. Bell, director of CBP ports along the Los Angeles/Long Beach.
The epilepsy occurred on April 17 at the Long Beach Cruise Terminal, California. (Google Maps)
"This kind of plan not only evades the income that the U.S. owes the U.S., but it can be harmful to U.S. consumers," Bell continued.
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Fox11 Los Angeles noted that the investigation into the incident may continue and that women may be punished for violating import laws.
Catched about 749 cigarettes: 326 cartons, 100 Newport, 210 boxes of Marlboro gold, 112 boxes of Marlboro Reds, 58 cartons, Newport regulars and 43 boxes of Marlboro Silvers cartons. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
However, Ruiz noted that "the direct consequence is that there is now a negative record, and by default, they have suffered a huge loss of nearly $60,000."
Ruiz continued that the loss was achieved in the epilepsy and destruction of cigarettes.
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"Travelers who intend to ignore U.S. import laws and regulations often pay a high price," Cheryl M. Davies, director of field operations at Los Angeles, said in a press release.