AMMAN — Karama Border Crossing security agents, in cooperation with Jordan Customs Department (JCD) personnel, on Sunday foiled an attempt to smuggle around 33,000 cartons of cigarettes into the Kingdom, official sources said.

The value of the fines imposed on the smuggled items, which were hidden inside freight containers, stands at JD500,000, according to a JCD statement.

“The cartons were hidden in compartments in two containers that were specially designed for this purpose,” an official source told The Jordan Times.

After a thorough search by security forces and JCD agents, 33,086 cigarette cartons were found hidden in the secret compartments, the source explained.

The drivers of the containers and other individuals were referred to authorities for further questioning, the source added.

The official said cigarettes are sold at a much cheaper price in the country of origin and that is why “some merchants attempt to smuggle huge amounts from some neighbouring countries to make an easy profit”.

The JCD statement quoted its director, Maj. Gen. Ghaleb Sarayreh, as stressing the importance of combating all kinds of smuggling in order to ensure “economic and social stability in the country”.