May 14 (UPI) -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Wednesday that 749 cartons of illegally imported cigarettes were discovered aboard a cruise ship at the Long Beach Cruise Ship Terminal in April.
According to CBP officers assigned to the Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport, 10 pieces of luggage full of cigarettes belonging to two female passengers was found.
"The importation of tobacco products is highly regulated from both tax and consumer safety perspectives," said CBP Los Angeles Field Operations Director Cheryl M. Davies in a statement. "Travelers who intentionally disregard U.S. importation laws and regulations often pay a high price."
The luggage held 326 cartons of Newport 100s, 58 cartons of Newport regulars, 112 cartons of Marlboro red, 43 cartons of Marlboro Silver and 210 cartons of Marlboro Gold cigarettes.
The CBP said total estimated value was $59,920.
