Nauru Customs says it is aware that the Mr. Pine cigarettes buried at the dump have been dug up and people are now selling them in the community.
A statement said Customs does not bury goods without a good reason and in this instance public safety was a prime concern.
The goods are not only a trade mark infringement but they are also illegally manufactured in unregulated black market conditions in Asia and contain questionable chemical compounds that can cause health issues when consumed.
Customs said people in possession of or selling these cigarettes cheaply are not only committing a serious criminal offence punishable by imprisonment, but are damaging people’s health for their own small financial gain.
Customs said it is there to protect the community from harmful products as part of its border protection measures.
The public has been urged to support Customs in this role as it is your nation that is being protected and everyone needs to work together for the good of Nauru.
Customs is calling on the Nauru community to assist in identifying these people.
Any of the Mr. Pine cigarettes are illegal to possess as duty has not been paid on them.
Customs collects duty from imports to enable the Government budget to be funded to service the nation.
When illegal cigarettes are being sold, this competes with legal product and essentially costs the nation revenue.
To have these things dug up from a dump is extremely irresponsible and disappointing.