DILI, 14 november 2022 (TATOLI) – From january to november 2022, the Authority for the Inspection of Economic, Sanitary and Food Activities (AIFAESA), through its inspection campaign, seized a total of 1689 packs of Joker (Pohon Sagu), and over 640 cartons of Surya 12 cigarettes.
Joker and Surya are two types of Indonesian tobacco that are prohibited from being imported into Timor-Leste.
These contraband tobaccos were seized from 39 shops in the capital Dili as well as in the municipalities.
The Head of the Inspection and Operation Unit, Armindo Gusmão, said that more than 260 shops had been inspected since january, of which 39 were involved in the sale of contraband and illegal tobacco.
He said many cartons of Surya 12 and a lot of the Joker packs have passed their expiry date.
Gusmão explained that the seized contraband cigarettes were stored at the AIFAESA warehouse and are scheduled to be destroyed by december.
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.
The 39 shops could be fined under Article 13 of Timor-Leste Decree-Law No.13/2019. These shops could be fined between US$5,000 and US$5,000 for selling expired products and between US$5,000 and US$10,000 for involving in the sale of illicit and contraband products.
Last week, AIFAESA cracked down on three shops in and around Baucau municipality for selling contraband and illicit cigarettes which have passed their expiry date. During the two-day operation, AIFAESA seized 33 packs of Surya 12.
He concluded that AIFAESA carried out its inspection campaign in accordance with the Decree-Law No. 12/2014 to protect consumer rights.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Filomeno Martins
