The Customs Department said 31 barrels containing illegally imported compressed tobacco were discovered at Kingston Wharves over a five week period, between December 23 and February 1.

The tobacco is estimated to have a street value of $5 million.

The Customs Department said some of the shipments were from Canada and were consigned to farm workers who participated in the programme in that country.

However, it said the importers were found to have breached sections of the Customs Act which speak to False Declaration, Importation without the required permit and concealment of goods.

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