The Department of Customs in Hanoi have seized more than 1,000 illegally imported cigars at Noi Bai International Airport.

After finding a suspicious item, the police forces checked the 16-kg package sent via international postal service.

Inside they discovered a total of 16 boxes, containing 375 cigars of brand names such as Cohiba and Romeo Y Julieta Habana.

The sender was identified as Kristigan Stoichkov Aarstraße 26, 65195 Wiesbaden.

The name of the receiver, which was written on the package, was identified as Nguyen Viet Anh, residing in Thy Loi, Tien Lu community, Tien Lu district, Hung Yen province.

However, Viet Anh has denied any knowledge of the shipment, according to police.

On the same day, the Department of Customs in Hanoi also inspected the luggage of Cuban national Villar CeBallos, 35, at Noi Bai International Airport.

In his luggage they found 663 unbranded cigars hidden. Villar CeBallos was unable to show any papers for the cargo.

A further investigation into the cases is now underway.

VOV