ICE Thinks Counterfeit Warriors Gear Is a Threat to National Security
Just a few days after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced it had performed a “slam dunk” enforcement “surge” against counterfeit Golden State Warriors merchandise, a vendor watched over two tables of NBA championship gear on the plaza outside the 24th Street BART station in the Mission. The blue and gold T-shirts and hats were selling for $10 to $15 apiece — a fraction of the cost of “authentic” Warriors apparel — and although the shirts were screenprinted with an ostentatious Adidas logo, the generic tabs told a different story.
Lear MoreThe WHO & High Tobacco Tax in Costa Rica
The average pack of cigarettes costs about ¢1,600 in Costa Rica. Almost 70% of this cost goes to paying various types of taxes.
http://www.costaricantimes.com/the-who-high-tobacco-tax-in-costa-rica/39132
Lear MoreFate of global rare earth miners rests on China smuggling crackdown
The fate of debt-ridden U.S. rare earth miner Molycorp rests on China’s efforts to crack down on networks that smuggled as much as 40,000 tonnes of the vital technology metals out of the country last year, driving down global prices.
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Truck Driver Arrested for Smuggling Out-of-State Recyclables
A California man was arrested last month for trying to trade in nearly 7,000 pounds of recyclables that he hauled in from out of state, officials said.
Carlos Vargas, 42, of Compton, Calif., was arrested on June 23 after he was caught on surveillance gathering thousands of pounds of recyclables from Phoenix, Ariz., that he then brought into Southern California and tried to exchange for cash in an attempt to defraud the California CRV.
Lear MoreMeghalaya losing Rs 90 cr annually
Assam and Meghalaya are incurring revenue losses to the tune of Rs 700 crore every year due to illegal trade of cigarettes, which are manufactured locally as well as are smuggled from the neighbouring nations.
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Haydn Morgan: Counterfeit products – a global threat
The number of counterfeit products being sold is continuously rising, recently confirmed in reports compiled by by Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU). The City of London Police has reported that more than 5,500 websites sell fake branded goods and UK police estimates counterfeit products that have been seized to date are worth around £3.5m.
Lear MoreSteps up as cigarettes up 30 sen
The Customs Department continues to enhance its enforcement initiative to curb smuggling activities.
This includes contraband cigarettes following an increase of 30 sen on the price of cigarettes by tobacco companies.
Its Director-General Datuk Seri Khazali Ahmad said there is no direct correlation between the rise of cigarette price with smuggling activities in the country.
http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=101218
Lear MoreSalesman arrested for counterfeit goods
The Abu Dhabi Police have arrested a salesman for dealing in women’s bags counterfeiting high-end brands. The suspect was operating this commercial fraud from his apartment and was caught after a raid was conducted following a tip off.
http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/crime/salesman-arrested-for-counterfeit-goods-1.1545131
Lear MoreIllicit Trade in Tobacco Products: Stubbing Out an Unending Scourge
Dominated globally by organised crime, the illicit tobacco trade could be said to be a frightening tripod that damages legitimate business, undermines public health and facilitates the supply of tobacco to young people. The criminality involved, including the use of the proceeds to fund other crimes, has a devastating effect on individuals and communities worldwide.
Lear MoreCharges filed in fake tech product scheme
Four people were charged with importing and distributing fake Apple and Sony electronic gear, following a joint investigation by the Department of Homeland Security and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, the United States attorney for New Jersey said Wednesday.
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