WINDHOEK – Members of the Namibian police involved in a seek-and-seize operation codenamed ‘Etosha’ targeting counterfeit goods that started in June have started confiscating ‘Yes’ cigarettes.
New Era learned that some cigarette vendors have resorted to hiding the ‘Yes’ cigarettes in other brand packs such as Dunhill, for fear of having their counterfeit cigarettes confiscated.
Chief Inspector Immanuel Sam, Head of the Interpol National Central Bureau in Windhoek told New Era yesterday that the aim of operation ‘Etosha’ is to root out illegal products. He explained that ‘Yes’ cigarettes were not meant for Namibia’s market and it originated from Angola. The chief inspector further explained that the operation was targeting the whole country.
Tanaka Simango, a vendor who sells the ‘Yes’ cigarettes told New Era that he knows the ‘Yes’ cigarettes are forbidden in the country. Simango added that he was scared that his cigarettes may be confiscated, but added: “What can we do, we need money.”
In June the police warned the public to be wary of vendors who sell cigarettes because they fill cigarette packs such as Dunhill with ‘Yes’ cigarettes inside. Susan Beukes, the public relations officer at Customs and Excise said the ‘Yes’ cigarettes are illegally being sold in the country.
By Tunomukwathi Asino