DILI, 28 April 2025 (TATOLI) – More than 700 boxes of illegally imported Coca-Cola have been seized by the Maritime Police Unit (UPM) of the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) in the Suli-Laran Beacou area, in the administrative post of Atabae, Bobonaro Municipality.
These illegally imported Coca-Cola boxes were confiscated on April 20 during an illegal trade crackdown carried out by the UPM.
According to the Deputy Chief of the UPM, Assistant Superintendent Aniceto da Silva, the goods were imported from Indonesia by sea, and two men have been identified as being directly involved in the illegal trade activity.
Those who illegally bring goods from Indonesia are clever, as they take advantage of the shortage of UPM officers to import these illicit products,” the official told Tatoli in Dili.
Silva said that the authorities will assess the value of the seized soft drinks, and if the amount exceeds US$10,000, the case will then be forwarded to the National Police of Timor-Leste in Bobonaro to be submitted to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
In addition, the UPM also seized several smuggled products during the first quarter of the year, including hundreds of boxes of tobacco.
“Earlier this month, Timorese authorities also confiscated 2.94 kg of cocaine in Dili, which was imported by a foreign national.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
