The Contraband Enforcement Team is now probing the discovery of 31 barrels containing tobacco over a five-week period.

The Customs Department says the contraband has an estimated street value of approximately $5 million.

The barrels were discovered at Kingston Wharves.

According to the Customs Department, on December 23, 2011 several Canadian shipments were examined and found to contain compressed tobacco.

These shipments came on board the vessel Zim Haifa and were all consigned to farm workers who participated in the farm work programme.

The department says after detaining the contraband, two additional shipments of the contraband were discovered on the same vessel.

It further reports that on January 5, 2012, two barrels were found to contain compressed tobacco which originated from the same vessel and container.

An additional six shipments were manifested but not examined immediately.

It’s reported that upon completion of detailed examination by the Contraband Enforcement Team on Wednesday, an additional 29 barrels containing compressed tobacco consigned to seven individuals were found and seized.

The importers were found to have breached the Customs Act which speaks to false declaration, importation without the required permit and concealment of goods.

editorial@gleanerjm.com