News

Lamèque man pleads guilty to possession of contraband tobacco

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Félix Antoine Savoie, 61, of Lamèque, pleaded guilty in provincial court in Bathurst on Aug. 14 to possessing more than 20,000 illegal cigarettes. Savoie was charged under section 121.1 (4)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada as well as sections 2.2(1)(a) and 2.2(1.6) of theTobacco Tax Act of New Brunswick. Fines totaling $27,950.40 were imposed.
The guilty plea follows enforcement activities of June 30 where the Bathurst City Police and the Contraband Enforcement Unit of the Department of Justice and Public Safety, working in partnership, intercepted Savoie and found him in possession of illegal cigarettes.
The contraband tobacco market is estimated to represent a revenue loss to the province of $13 million annually.
Revenues from the sale of illegal tobacco are often funnelled into organized crime. Manufacturers of illegal tobacco products are not subject to standards or inspections.

http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/news/news_release.2016.08.0775.html

SA, Zimbabwe goods smuggling incidents on the rise

The ban on some foreign import goods in Zimbabwe has resulted in the increase of incidents of smuggling by informal traders and private people along the border across the Limpopo River.
The Beitbridge Border Post between South Africa and Zimbabwe is one of the busiest ports of entries in the country which operates on a 24-hour basis.
Travellers who use the border into Zimbabwe are now required to only carry a limited number of some goods.
Zimbabwe introduced the ban last month and some Zimbabweans and South Africans protested against the move.

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