As taxes on cigarettes rise, smokers turn to counterfeits
Punitive taxation on cigarettes and extreme tobacco control regulations have resulted in a spike in smuggling of substandard cigarettes.
This has lead to the Government losing tax revenues on sale of cigarettes, as well as the emergence of greater health hazards among the users of cigarettes.
Philips wages war on fake products
International electronic brand Philips has begun a campaign to address counterfeit product sales in Ghana and across the continent.
The campaign dubbed ‘Buy Original’ is aimed at educating consumers on the risk of using fake products.
http://www.starrfmonline.com/1.4602897
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40-year-old man arrested for dealing in illegal wine in Lagos
Operatives of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, have apprehended one Alfred Omeke for dealing in illegal wine in Lagos.
It was gathered that Omeke, 40, who hails from Enugu State, was arrested by NAFDAC on June 14, while loading cartons of unregistered wine into a truck in the Trade Fair, Ojo area of Lagos.
http://dailypost.ng/2015/06/19/40-year-old-man-arrested-for-dealing-in-illegal-wine-in-lagos/
Lear MoreFG Urged to Step up Fight against Counterfeiting
The federal government has been urged to intensify its effort in the fight against the influx of counterfeit products in the country.
This was even as investors within and outside Nigeria have expressed displeasure over the huge losses being incurred on a daily basis due to fake manufacturers, despite government commitment to curb their menace
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Correction Officer Accused of Smuggling Contraband Into Manhattan Detention Complex
A New York City correction officer, an inmate and two relatives have been accused of smuggling contraband into the Manhattan Detention Complex, law enforcement officials said on Thursday.
The correction officer, Patricia Howard, 44, was arrested last month after prosecutors said she was found carrying nine grams of cocaine, three ounces of marijuana, four cellphones, tobacco, rolling papers, pliers and a flashlight in a red shopping bag. She intended to smuggle the items to an inmate at the detention complex in Lower Manhattan, where she worked, officials said.
Philips Alerts on Counterfeit Products In Nigeria
Royal Philips yesterday lamented that over 50 per cent of products bearing its name in Nigeria market are fake.
This according to the firm buttresses the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) 2011 report that about 85 per cent of goods in circulation in Nigeria were substandard and counterfeit.
Lear MoreAuthorities adopt an ‘iron fist’ in effort to tackle smuggling
In recent years, police, army and customs have been fighting smuggling, trade fraud, and fake products. But results have not been as good as expected. How do you evaluate the situation? Fights against smuggling, trade fraud and fake goods are considered one of the Government’s most important tasks. In recent years, they have made some achievements.
Lear MoreIllicit tobacco seized from Lincolnshire cabbie ‘belonged to organised crime gang
A Grantham taxi driver was caught with more than £250,000 worth of illicit tobacco destined for an organised crime gang.
Alan Clater, 62, was stopped by Wiltshire Police on the M4 near Swindon, during a joint operation with HM Revenue and Customs.
More than 1.5 tonnes of tobacco was discovered in the back of his transit van and Clater, of Hornsby Road, Grantham was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, when he appeared at Swindon Crown Court. He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.
Researchers Develop Special Fluorescent Ink to Reveal Counterfeit Products
One day soon, the simple act of taking a photo with your smartphone could help fight crime, and prevent you from getting ripped off in the process. With just one snap, you could instantly know whether or not someone is trying to sell you a fake. How is this possible? Northwestern University scientists have invented new advanced fluorescent inks – revealed through a phone’s ultraviolet light – that serve as the product barcodes of the future.
Counterfeiting is a mega big business that totals up to 650 billion dollars in global losses every year, according to the International Chamber of Commerce.
http://bgr.com/2015/06/17/counterfeit-goods-detection-technology-ink/
Lear MoreLaunch of Coalition against Illicit Trade (CAIT) to Fight Global Counterfeiting and Smuggling
Today marks the launch of the Coalition Against Illicit Trade (CAIT), a new worldwide coalition of businesses and organisations dedicated to fighting the trade of counterfeited and contraband goods, which causes significant harm to consumers, governments, businesses, and society in general.
CAIT will focus on encouraging cooperation among those affected by illicit trade, sharing best practice, and working towards practical solutions that can be applied across industries.