300 cartons of cigarettes destroyed

Posted on Jan 08 2009

Authorities destroyed 300 cartons of cigarettes yesterday that were confiscated from incoming passengers at the Saipan International Airport.

The items were destroyed at the Marpi landfill.

Customs officials confiscated the four-inch cigarettes when passengers, mostly tourists, arrive at the airport, said Customs Lt. Lt. John Santos.

According to law, passengers are allowed to carry only one ream containing 10 packs of cigarettes.

The 300 cartons were accumulated over a six-month period, said Santos, who was accompanied by officer Anthony M. Camacho.

Santos said he is surprised people still try to bring in more than 10 packs of cigarettes at a time.

“Most of them, it’s not their first time to arrive,” he said. “Most of them have been on island two or three times. I don’t know why they still bring them. It’s clearly stated on Customs form.”

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