DILI, 11 november 2022 (TATOLI) – The Authority for Inspection of Economic, Sanitary, and Food Activities (AIFAESA) has cracked down on three shops in and around Baucau municipality selling contraband and illicit cigarettes which have passed their expiry date.
A two-day inspection campaign carried out by AIFAESA resulted in the detection of the sale of the Indonesian cigarette known as Gudang Garam Surya 12.
During the two-day operation led by AIFAESA’s Chief Inspector of Trade and Industry Unit, Carlos Miguel Ximenes, AIFAESA seized 33 Gudang Garam Surya 12 packs.
“The sale of illegal and expired cigarettes violated Timor-Leste’s law on commercial fraud,” AIFAESA said in a press release.
AIFAESA would refer those who violate the laws to the competent authorities, who will, in turn, take appropriate action against the perpetrators in order to protect consumer rights.
According to AIFAESA, the three shops would be fined under Timor-Leste’s commercial fraud law. The three stores could be fined between US$5,000 and US$30,000.
The statement said that AIFAESA would maintain its operations to control the prices of basic necessities, as well as to prevent shops from selling expired products, including cigarettes and other contraband tobacco circulating in the country.
More than 100 shops had been inspected during the two-day operation, including retail shops, grocery and clothing shops, restaurants, etc.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Filomeno Martins
