St Catherine businessman fined over $850,000 for uncustomed cigarettes

A St Catherine businessman who was held with a quantity of uncustomed cigarettes at his establishment in Spanish Town last year was fined over $850,000 or six months’ imprisonment in the parish court today.

Guan Xing, a Chinese national, was fined $825,063.20 or six months’ imprisonment for breaching the Customs Act and $25,000 or 10 months’ imprisonment for breaching the Excise Duty Act.

In handing down the sentence, Acting Parish Court Judge Janelle Nelson-Gayle outlined that, under the law, fines imposed must reflect five times the value of each cigarette.

The judge declared that the fines are to be paid upfront and that she was not minded to give time for payment.

The businessman was then taken into custody.

The facts are that on December 5, 2025, police personnel swooped down on a wholesale establishment along Wellington Street in Spanish Town, St Catherine.

During a search, 16 cartons of uncustomed cigarettes were discovered.

Checks revealed that the cigarettes had no manufacturer's date, among other anomalies.

The cigarettes were seized and the businessman was arrested.

He was subsequently charged after being questioned.

- Rasbert Turner

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