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U.S. Customs in Southern California Seize 150,000 Illegal Cigarettes Worth Nearly $60,000

May.15.2025
U.S. Customs in Southern California Seize 150,000 Illegal Cigarettes Worth Nearly $60,000
U.S. Customs in Southern California seized approximately 150,000 illegal cigarettes at the Los Angeles/Long Beach seaport, with an estimated market value of \$59,900. The cigarettes were hidden in a pair of travelers' luggage and were accompanied by receipts but lacked the required transport permits. This marks the largest seizure of illegal cigarettes at the port to date.

Key highlights:

 

1.Interception location and time: Los Angeles/Long Beach Port, United States, on April 17th.

 

2.Seized items: Approximately 150,000 illegal cigarette rolls with an estimated market value of about $59,900.

 

3.Cigarette brands: including 326 packs of Newport 100s and 210 packs of Marlboro Golds.

 

4.Violation: Passengers were unable to provide a transportation permit, despite having a purchase receipt.

 

 

According to a report by Fox News on May 14, officials from the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently intercepted a shipment of illegal cigarettes brought into the country by cruise ship passengers at the Los Angeles/Long Beach port.

 

The incident of seizure occurred on April 17, when customs officials inspected a couple from Ensenada, Mexico at the Los Angeles/Long Beach port and discovered approximately 150,000 cigarettes hidden in their 10 pieces of luggage. The cigarettes were found packed in 749 cardboard boxes.

 

According to a news release from CBP, the estimated market value of this shipment of cigarettes is approximately $59,920, including 326 packs of Newport 100s and 210 packs of Marlboro Golds.

 

Jaime Ruiz, Director of Media Relations for CBP's Western Region, stated that this seizure is considered the largest in the Los Angeles/Long Beach seaport complex. He noted that although the travelers provided purchase receipts, they were unable to provide a permit to transport such a large quantity of tobacco products.

 

Africa R. Bell, the CBP Port Director at the Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport, pointed out that illegally imported cigarettes often bring high profits to underground vendors due to their low overseas prices and tax evasion during importation. This behavior not only avoids taxes owed to the United States but also has the potential to harm American consumers. Bell added that CBP officials will continue to enforce the law to protect the American public.

 

References:
[1] CBP seizes massive haul of 150,000 illegal cigarettes from cruise passengers in California
Also Read:
[1] FDA Targets 'Port Shopping' in Crackdown on Illicit E-Cigarette Imports
[2] Mass Vape Checks at Chicago Port: Sources Say Hundreds of Tons Under Scrutiny as Logistics Firms Halt Shipments
[3] 28 US States Join Forces to Pressure Federal Government

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