DUSHANBE, April 3, Asia-Plus  --  An operation carried out by officers from the Sughd customs directorate has led to the detention of a large bulk of counterfeit cigarettes “Pine”.

According to press service of Tajikistan’s Customs Service, a heavy truck KAMAZ loaded with 82,500 packets of cigarettes “Pine” was stopped on the highway from Istaravshan to Khujand several days ago.  Inspection found out that that excise duties had not been paid and cigarettes had been delivered into the country illegally; therefore, the cargo was confiscated.

Criminal proceedings have been instituted against the cargo’s owner and an investigation is under way.