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Smuggling, corruption, high costs, lack of government support have destroyed Guyana’s manufacturing

There are several factors that contributed to the demise of Guyana’s once thriving manufacturing sector. Smuggling is the number one killer of Guyana’s manufacturing industry; as well as the high cost of financing, poor legal service, high cost of electricity and water (in the land of many waters), untrained workers, high turnover of workers due to poor wages and immigration; business owners’ stinginess with investment in training, workers’ welfare, aesthetic packaging, new efficient machinery and equipment, and facilities maintenance. Government support for local manufacturers is negligible and discriminating; the service from local public servants and bureaucrats is like the movement of molasses unless they are bribed. Here are a few scenarios that are destructive to local manufacturing.
http://www.stabroeknews.com/2016/opinion/letters/08/22/smuggling-corruption-high-costs-lack-government-support-destroyed-guyanas-manufacturing/

This is what £72k in cash looks like – seized from couple who ran illegal tobacco shop from home

A 73-year-old Forest of Dean man and his wife ran a contraband cigarette and tobacco shop from their home for several years, a court heard today.
Trading standards officers who raided the home of Harold and Susan Bennett in Mushet Place, Coleford, last summer found more than £20,000 worth of illicit tobacco products and a ‘significant’ amount of cash, said prosecutor Jonathan Fuller at Gloucester Crown Court.
Bennett and his 62-year-old wife admitted three charges of making unauthorised use of the Mayfair and Regal cigarette trademarks and the Amber Leaf tobacco trademark on July 24 last year.

Man confesses role in smuggling fake $100 billion

Clinton Walker, 34, confessed to his role in the conspiracy to bring in at least $400,000 in fake U.S. Federal Reserve notes into America from Nigeria.
The fake $100 bills were sold at a price of 40 cents on the dollar and were distributed to several people. Walker sold and delivered at least 11 counterfeit notes to a female minor in January, federal prosecutors said.
Walker was arrested in March. Investigators found more than 300 counterfeit bills that he admitted intending to sell as well.
In addition to the prison sentence for one count each of dealing in counterfeit securities and conspiracy, Walker could be fined up to $250,000 for his part in the counterfeit ring.

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Man-confesses-role-in-smuggling-fake-100-bills-9171720.php

Name and shame smugglers, consumer group urges Customs

After alleged drug personalities, consumer watchdog United Filipino Consumers and Commuters (UFCC) now wants government to name and shame smugglers.The group in particular wants the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to release a list of cement smugglers, saying these illicit traders do not only rob the government of millions in revenue but also endanger the lives of Filipinos.
UFCC said total under-declaration of imported cement  from January to April this year alone has reached over P200 million.
http://www.philstar.com/business/2016/08/18/1614494/name-and-shame-smugglers-consumer-group-urges-customs

Cambodian Arrested for Smuggling Fake Smokes to Thailand

A Cambodian woman was arrested on Monday for smuggling counterfeit Thai cigarettes worth about six million baht (about $190,000) into Thailand after tripping a border alarm in Sa Kaew province, the Bangkok Post reported yesterday. The woman was named as 54-year-old Wi Raya and the report said 18 boxes containing 9,000 packs of cigarettes falsely packaged as Thai brands, such as KrongThip, Failing Rain and Wonder, were found abandoned in the area.

http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/28574/cambodian-arrested-for-smuggling-fake-smokes-to-thailand/

Popping Down to the Shops and Into Australia’s Booming Tobacco Black Market

As of September 1, 2016 the tobacco tax is set to increase again. Next month’s surge is expected to raise ciggie prices by between $1.30 to $3.35 per pack, depending on size. Then between 2017 and 2020 there will likely be a steady tax rise of 12.5 percent each year.
Some have argued the rise in cigarette prices will lead to more people quitting. Others contend the price hike will add strength to an already booming tobacco black market and lead to an increase in tobacco related criminal activities. Around 14 percent of the total tobacco consumed in Australia is black market, in total about 2.4 million kilograms per year smuggled in from overseas. That means the government is left with a $1.4 billion-sized hole—lost revenue from untaxed product.