High Taxes Promote Black Market Cigarettes in Bordering State
Cigarettes are legal in the U.S., but a black market is alive and thriving, generating crime and imposing costs on residents and businesses.To witness this in action one need only cross the state’s southern border and see the busy parking lots of Indiana tobacco shops filled with cars from Michigan, whose occupants are stocking up on smokes that cost a dollar less per pack. One South Bend store even offers drive-thru service. “It doesn’t matter to me, just don’t get caught,” said the clerk when asked if she could sell several cartons to a Michigan resident.
http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/21394
Lear MoreTobacco products and public policy
A chara, – I fear John Mallon is in error (June 8th), or at least gives the erroneous impression that he equates a fall in tobacco smoking with a rise in smuggling. A rise in tobacco prices may possibly lead to a rise in smuggling (and thence a fall in cigarette-related revenue). Or it may not – I am unaware that this has been objectively demonstrated, and even if this were the case, it does not follow that tax cuts are the only way to tackle smuggling.
http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/tobacco-products-and-public-policy-1.2243184
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R.J. Reynolds spotlights illicit cigarette manufacturing in court hearing
WASHINGTON — A melodramatic and high-stakes case illuminating a complaint by the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. about Native American tribes’ alleged “rogue cigarette” manufacturing challenged a federal judge Tuesday.Wading into a civil lawsuit built on covert investigations, aerial surveillance and confidential informants, U.S. District Judge Ketanji B. Jackson tried to clear the air during a 90-minute hearing. She pressed, almost equally, attorneys for both R.J. Reynolds and the Justice Department.
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2015/06/09/269363/rj-reynolds-spotlights-illicit.html
Lear MorePIA crew detained for smuggling
KARACHI: Officials at Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) were left red-faced on Monday after British authorities detained at least five of its crew members for questioning on suspicion of smuggling mobile phones and other unspecified illegal items.Before the PIA flight PK-788 could take off from London for Karachi on Monday morning, the 14-member crew was stopped and its entire luggage was checked. Five air hostesses and stewards were later questioned. However, the rest of the crew was allowed to operate the flight.No one from the UK Customs that carried out the search was available to share details.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/900272/pia-crew-detained-for-smuggling/
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Why Spanish Cheese Smuggling Will Likely Continue In Canada
Toronto.– Canada is the North Korea of dairy products with a tight border through which foreign dairy products only pass in dribs and drabs but where, despite everything, Spanish cheeses are the rage.In 2012, Canadian authorities broke up a profitable smuggling network by arresting three people who were illegally bringing products from the United States to Canada. Their crime? Smuggling mozzarella cheese to sell in Canadian restaurants.The profits from the illegal dairy-products trafficking were so high that mozzarella was being called “white gold.”
http://www.perishablenews.com/index.php?article=0045074
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Frenchwoman who sold ‘fake magic cheese’ for luxury cosmetics goes on trial
A Frenchwoman went on trial on Monday for allegedly conning thousands of Chileans into buying a kit to make “magic cheese” they could sell back to French cosmetics companies for use in luxury beauty products.Gilberte Van Erpe, 74, allegedly told her victims the prized ingredient was even used in creams favoured by celebrities such as Michael Jackson.However, the end product was worthless and the scam became one of the biggest pyramid schemes ever seen in South America, it is alleged.The “case of the magic cheese”, as it is known in France, began in 2005 when the businesswoman dubbed “Madame Gil” began holding conferences around Chile urging people to become home producers of the fermented product.
Lear MoreCCB sleuthsraidstockists of fake HP products
Bogged down by frequent draining out of your laptop battery? Troubled by frequent heating of your laptop? Then you may be a victim of a racket that sells fake batteries under various brand names.
This was evident in a recent Central Crime Bureau (CCB) crackdown, which found that not all products sold under the HP brand in the city were originals.CCB’s Fraud and Misappropriation (F and M) Wing sleuths, who swooped down on Aviva Technologies, Sunshine Informatique, Nissan Technologies and Matrix Info, seized more than 1,000 products that mainly included fake products like batteries, adaptors and packaging material — battery boxes, stickers and holograms, to give products the HP touch and cheat customers.
Lear MoreA man from Bexley is among four people arrested on suspicion of tobacco smuggling
A man from Bexley is among four people arrested on suspicion of tobacco smuggling.The unnamed 63-year-old was arrested yesterday (June 6) after a joint operation between HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Southwark Council Trading Standards officers. Ten houses and business were raided in Bermondsey and Crawley, where the four men were arrested.Officers discovered a haul of £20,000 in cash, 200,000 cigarettes and 89kgs of hand rolling tobacco.
http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/13317380.Bexley_man_arrested_on_suspicion_of_tobacco_smuggling/
Lear MoreKenya: Govt Stepping Up War On Counterfeits – CS Adan
Nairobi — The government has issued a stern warning on the production and distribution of counterfeit goods in the country.This follows the seizure of Sh35 million worth of counterfeit goods by the Anti-Counterfeit Agency (ACA) at a residential house in Nairobi.Industrialisation Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohamed says the government will take swift and decisive action against anyone found culpable and stressed that stringent measures including hefty fines will be imposed on those who engage in illicit trade of counterfeit goods in the country.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201506080864.html
Lear MoreCall Centers: New Battle Front for Fake Drugs
The new front line in rooting out fake medicine is an elusive one.This bustling call-center hub north of Manila hosts an army of phone operators pitching goods and services. Among the offerings, authorities allege, are counterfeit drugs.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/call-centers-new-battle-front-for-fake-drugs-1433712783
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