Jan 30 - Tobacco law amendments
The government is publishing a Bill for an Act to amend the Tobacco Act 1997. The bill has come about as a response to gap in current law for people concealing cigarettes in the bodywork, and other parts, of motor vehicles in connection with illegal tobacco activity, especially when the amount concealed is less than a commercial quantity.
New offences are being brought forward in the bill. The offences are:
1. Concealing or being in any way knowingly concerned with the concealment of cigarettes within a motor vehicle.
2. Being in charge of a motor vehicle in which cigarettes are concealed.
The offences will come with penalties dependent on the amounts tobacco concealed. Provision is also made for the forfeiture of the tobacco and motor vehicle concerned on the application of the Attorney General.
The Chief Minister said: "The Government is committed to strengthening the powers available to HM Customs and Royal Gibraltar Police officers in dealing with illicit tobacco activity and associated anti-social behaviour. This Bill builds on recent initiatives by the Government on these matters by creating new offences, with related powers of forfeiture, dealing with the very specific problem of persons concealing cigarettes within motor vehicles."
