Dili, June 10 2026 (Media Democracia) – General Command Spokesperson for PNTL, Chief Police Superintendent João Belo dos Reis, reported on the case of a seizure of prohibited goods in the Tibar area, where the Customs Authority (AA/ Alfándega) informed PNTL that they suspected a 40-foot container entering Dili Port with documents that raised suspicion about its contents.
“So we verified all the documents that came in, then we opened the container. We found the manifest declared the goods as tables and chairs, but inside there were 830 cartons of cigarettes. These cigarettes are illegal with no license, so the Criminal Investigation Service Directorate brought the cigarettes for identification to process them to the Public Ministry.” PNTL Spokesperson João Belo told journalists through a press conference held at PNTL General Headquarters Caicoli, this Tuesday.
The spokesperson informed that police detected the cigarettes originated from Cambodia. The production of these cigarettes remains a concern because they usually attempt to smuggle them through land border entry points.
“But they couldn’t, so they tried to bring them in through Tibar instead. The owner of the goods is from China, but there is a Timorese company with the initials BM that imported them into Timor-Leste.” he stated.
The Director of the Criminal Investigation Service said that a Timorese national with the initials BM has already been summoned by police and is currently being identified.
“We have only found one person so far, then we will continue tracking whoever else is involved. We will summon everyone to be held responsible for their actions.” he informed.
João Belo dos Reis said that the Criminal Investigation Service Directorate identified the prohibited goods and handed them over to the Public Ministry. Whether they will be destroyed or auctioned is the competence of the MP.
“Our duty is to identify, process the investigation, then submit it to the Public Ministry.” he added.
Meanwhile, the case has been registered with NUC number 0207/ PNSIK.
Reporting: Estefánia Cardoso
Photo: Estefánia Cardoso