Excise tax evasion denied

Auckland: Four men have denied charges of attempting to evade $2.72 million in excise tax following an alleged 2.2 million illicit cigarette importation.

The group, which Customs investigators allege are part of a Malaysian organisedcrime syndicate, were arrested after a shipment from Malaysia arrived in midJuly.

The four men pleaded not guilty in the Auckland District Court on Monday to joint charges of defrauding Customs of revenue and participating in an organised criminal group.

They are Kak Hou Yen (30), Hong Ping Lee (36), Hong Wei Lim (33) and Qiaoye Wang (30).

The group is due to appear in court again in December.