700 smuggled cigarettes master cartons siezed by Customs

In a joint investigation directed by the Tel Aviv and Ashdod Customs squads, together with a Police Coast Guard unit, a coastal vessel was searched at sea and later arrested.
 
Customs Authorities said that 700 master cartons of smugglled cigarettes (35,000 packets) were found on board and siezed.
 
The value of customs duties and taxes on the seized cargo was estimated by the customs to be around NIS 3.5 millions.
 
The vessel "Rina 1" was arrested at sea after receiving a tip from an undercover source.
some 8 months ago the same vessel, then sailed under the name "Albatros" was arrested smugglling cigarettes and was later sold in public auction. Its new owners changed the name to "Rina 1".
 
The vessel with the cargo of cigaettes was towed to the port ofashdod her captain & crew were imprisoned and will appear before court during the week.