Officials of the Customs Preventive Commissionerate, Vijayawada, destroyed foreign cigarettes worth Rs. 54 lakh here on Tuesday.
Customs Commissioner, A.P. unit, SK. Rahaman, Assistant Commissioner K. Rajashekara Reddy, and other officials destroyed the cigarettes packed in 3,750 cartons.
The cigarettes were imported illegally. Smugglers were also taken into custody, said Customs Superintendent Gummadi Seetaramaiah Chowdary.
According to Health Department officials, the cigarettes were of sub-standard quality.
The customs officials conducted raids at different places and seized the material.
Stern action would be taken against those who smuggle or market foreign cigarettes, the Commissioner warned.
Superintendent M. Srinivas, and Customs Inspectors M. Srinivas and Ashok participated.
