Two Hundred and seventy-six cases of counterfeit Marlboro cigarettes seized by the Contraband Enforcement Team in February of this year have been destroyed.

A release from the Jamaica Customs Department said the destruction of the counterfeit cigarettes, valued at J$120 million was witnessed by their representatives and the Ministry of Finance at Boilerco Jamaica Limited on Washington Boulevard, St Andrew.

The discovery and destruction of counterfeit cigarettes is high on the priority list of Jamaica Customs.

"The Department continues to advise the public against the trading of illegal cigarettes based on the serious health risk involved and the threat loss of revenue poses to the economic development of the country," the release said.