UK sees surge in illegal cigarettes
Consumption of counterfeit and contraband cigarettes in the UK surged by almost 50% in 2014, costing the government about £2bn in lost tax revenue, according to a new report.
The surge was driven by an increase in black market tobacco from Belarus and Pakistan, which now – along with Poland – produce one-in-two illegal cigarettes coming into the UK. The Fest brand from Belarus now accounts for 40% of “illicit whites” – cigarettes produced legally in one market but destined primarily for smuggling – coming into the UK.
http://www.talkingretail.com/category-news/independent-news/uk-sees-surge-illegal-cigarettes/
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UK sees fake electrical goods a-rising
British consumers are buying more and more counterfeit electrical products, according to Electrical Safety First research published on Anti-Counterfeiting Day on 8 June.The charity investigated consumer attitudes towards counterfeit electrical goods over the past year and found fake items are becoming more prevalent for British consumers and more visible online, compared to a year ago.Social media platforms have also functioned a new marketplace for counterfeit goods. Seven percent of respondents said they purchased products through social media advertising.
http://ipprotheinternet.com/ipprotheinternetnews/article.php?article_id=4947#.V3pdQ0t97IU
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Highly-Taxed Europe Flooded With 53 Billion Illegal Cigarettes
Europe consumed 53 billion illegal cigarettes in 2015, causing almost $13 billion in tax revenue to go up in smoke, according to a KPMG report released Wednesday.
The number of illegal cigarettes smoked in the European Union (EU) exceeds the entire legal market in Spain and accounts for one in 10 cigarettes smoked in the EU, says the report.
Although cigarette smuggling in the EU is still running at industrial like levels, the volume has actually declined a little from 2014 thanks to law enforcement activities and increasing growth of the EU economy.
http://dailycaller.com/2016/06/09/highly-taxed-europe-flooded-with-53-billion-illegal-cigarettes/
Former guard accused of accepting bribes for smuggling tobacco into federal penitentiary at Leavenworth
A former prison guard was indicted Wednesday on federal charges alleging he received more than $200,000 in bribes for smuggling tobacco to prisoners in Leavenworth Penitentiary, acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.Marc Buckner, 46, Kansas City, Kan., is charged with one count of accepting bribes, the U.S. attorney’s office stated. The indictment alleged that from 2005 to 2014 while Buckner worked at the prison he accepted more than $200,000 in bribes.
Coventry smokers who buy illegal tobacco helping to sustain criminal gangs
Coventry smokers who buy illegal tobacco products are helping to sustain criminal gangs who make millions from the illicit trade.That’s the stark message from Crimestoppers, the UK’s crime-fighting charity, as part of a campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of the illicit trade.The warning is also backed up by the taxman, with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) confirming that the global trade in tobacco smuggling is dominated by organised crime gangs, boosting the crooks’ coffers and damaging legitimate businesses.
http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/coventry-smokers-who-buy-illegal-11445236
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Copenhagen Airport confiscated over 50,000 counterfeit products
The Danish Customs and Tax Administration (SKAT) seized a total of 51,021 counterfeit items worth of 172 million kroner during security checks at Copenhagen Airport last year.
The confiscated fake products included everything from clothes and shoes to electronics and medicine.
http://cphpost.dk/news/business/copenhagen-airport-confiscated-over-50000-counterfeit-products.html
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New tobacco strike team units to fight illegal chop chop and cigarettes
Two new tobacco strike team units will be established and $7.7 million spent over the next two years to fight illegal chop chop and cigarettes. The Tobacco Strike Team was launched last October and has so far stopped the evasion of $45 million in duties and taxes.
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Manufacturers in pain as smugglers, counterfeiters have a field day
Nigerian manufacturers are writhing in pains arising from the activities of smugglers and counterfeiters who exploit border and legal loopholes to ply their illicit trade in the country.
Finance ministry to unveil three bills to combat tax evasion, tobacco smuggling and corruption
Greek Finance ministry plans to submit to Parliament three draft laws aimed at combating tax evasion, smuggling and corruption.
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Retailers seek tobacco tax freeze amid smuggling concerns
The pre-budget submission by Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) has highlighted its concerns following latest figures from the Revenue Commissioners which show that customs officers have so far this year seized illicit tobacco which, if sold, would have resulted in the Exchequer losing €15.8m in tax — approximately €5m more than the same period last year.
RAS said that in order to prevent any further damage to small and medium businesses in Ireland, it is calling for a moratorium on further excise increases until such increases can be proven not to encourage smuggling.