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Businessman jailed for multi-million dollar tobacco smuggling scheme

Vakapuna news

Auckland businessman Mosese Vakapuna has been sentenced to 28 months in jail for smuggling over 6000 kilograms of loose tobacco into New Zealand from Tonga, evading more than $10.3 million in import and excise taxes.

Vakapuna was convicted on 23 charges related to defrauding Customs revenue. The operation, dubbed ‘Operation Constrictor’ uncovered multiple shipments over a 21-month period, indicating the tobacco was intended for sale, particularly within Pasifika communities.

The operation identified a total of 23 imports sent to the company over a 21-month period.

Vakapuna was arrested on his arrival into New Zealand from Tonga on November 4 2022.

Image credit: Pascal Meier

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2 COMMENTS

  1. So someone imports a large amount of carcinogenic tobacco, but what concerns officials is the tax.

    Income tax/GST/Import taxes/petrol excise/alcohol excise/tobacco excise/car registration/dog registration/ rates and that is just off the top of my head

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