SIXTEEN people have been jailed for evading Customs duty by smuggling in cigarettes by sea.
Ministries and Public Entities Prosecution chief prosecutor Adnan Al Wedaei yesterday said the individuals have been jailed for six months to a year by the Lower Criminal Court for evading taxes ranging from BD300 to BD50,000.
A total of BD149,500 has been collected as fines from the convicts with one company shelling out BD50,822 as penalty.
“The Public Prosecution received notice from Customs Affairs about a shipment containing hidden cigarettes,” said Mr Al Wedaei.
“The Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science launched an investigation and groups of criminals were found to have brought cigarettes through the sea without paying Customs duty on them.
“Upon arrival the shipments are moved to selected stores and later distributed and sold across the country.
“More than 254,000 packs of cigarettes and BD20,000 in cash were confiscated from the suspects.”
The Public Prosecution interrogated the suspects and seized the items, before transferring them to court which jailed them yesterday.
The court ordered the deportation of the men after their sentences are completed.
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