By Finn Blackwell of RNZ Customs, police and the health sector are combining forces to crack down on illicit tobacco, with a new "action group" the government announced Friday. Minister for Customs Casey Costello said increasing numbers of black-market cigarettes and tobacco were being seized at the border, and there was been more widespread and blatant retail sales of the illegal products. RNZ has been investigating the issue over the last month, uncovering multiple shops operating in Auckland selling the cheap tobacco products. An East Auckland store was charging just $13 for a pack - less than half the excise duty required by law. Importing cigarettes without paying the excise duty is illegal, and offenders can be charged with defrauding customs revenue. It was also illegal for retailers to sell illicit cigarettes, with offenders facing a six-month prison sentence, a $20,000 fine or both.…