PNG Customs clamp down on smuggling racket in Port Moresby involving millions of kina
The PNG Customs Service (PNGCS) has detained a large number of foreign manufactured cigarettes and alcohol products smuggled into the country with the intention of evading an estimated K500,00.00 in import excise and GST.
We believe that this particular smuggling activity has been going on for some time and we are concerned that a substantial amount of revenue owing to the State has been lost over that time.
PNG Customs strives to facilitate legitimate trade and create a conducive environment for businesses to operate and grow in the country but we do not tolerate smuggling activities. We are continually working with all relevant stakeholders to clamp down on such practices and we will do everything within our powers to make sure they face the full force of the law.
http://news.pngfacts.com/2016/07/png-customs-clamp-down-on-smuggling.html#ixzz4FnDdAx90
Lear More10,000 prosecuted in China for Counterfeit products
About 10,000 people were charged with producing counterfeit products in the first half of this year in China, Vice Premier Wang Yang said, highlighting the gravity of the violation of the Intellectual Property Rights.
Police investigated about 64,000 cases involving fake medicines, construction materials, automobile parts, toys and other commodities, Wang said at a national meeting on counterfeit control.
This, however, has merely dented the vast and varied counterfeit market and offenders are growing more tech-savvy and discreet, he warned.
The government plans to tighten online supervision and improve its tip-off system, state-run Xinhua news agency said.A special operation to prevent the export of counterfeit products will be launched, in which cross-border trade fairs and e-commerce platforms will be under tight scrutiny, Wang said.
Computer software will be another priority.
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/10000-prosecuted-in-china-for-counterfeit-products/1/723672.html
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Gateshed woman found with more than 400 fake designer goods dodges jail
A Gateshead woman dodged jail after trading standards officers found a hoard of fake fashion items at her home.
Faye McCann, of Edendale, Ryton , was first caught out in November 2015 when officers were tipped-off she was flogging dodgy gear in the Half Moon Inn pub.
She was caught red handed selling knock-off luxury items by designers such as Vivienne Westwood, Michael Kors, Versace, Chanel, Tommy Hilfiger and Hugo Boss.
All the products – totalling more than 260 items – were seized by Trading Standards who later confirmed they were counterfeit.But despite already being caught, brazen McCann continued to peddle the fake goods on her Facebook page.
More than 400 dodgy items were seized when officers raided her home, including a stash of clothing, handbags, perfume, footwear, jewellery and watches.When interviewed under caution McCann admitted the items were hers but refused to answer any questions on how she got them.
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/gateshead-woman-found-more-400-11659798
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US Senate makes July counterfeit awareness month
The US Senate has passed a resolution declaring July the national anti-counterfeit awareness month.
The move has been welcomed by the International Trademark Association (INTA), which said that educating the public about the potential harms of counterfeiting “is critically important to the efforts of policymakers, law enforcement, brand owners and consumer groups to eradicate counterfeit goods from the marketplace.”
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40 pc fake pesticides being used in country: Study
Illiteracy and unawareness of farmers accompanied by bizmen’s lack of scientific technology and negative market system is responsible for usage of almost forty per cent of spurious pesticides in the country resulting in adverse impact not only on the crop production but it also causes environmental degradation. According to industry sources, in the financial year 2014 , forty per cent of the total pesticides sold were fake.The products are of poor quality and are not capable of killing insects and pests.
http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20160724/2905734.html
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Gang jailed for smuggling Cigarettes
Customs officers seized 3,268,200 Pride brand cigarettes – a brand not available in the UK – from a storage unit in Bolton.
Members of an illegal cigarettes gang who cheated the taxman out of almost £760,000 have been jailed. Customs officers seized 3,268,200 Pride brand cigarettes – a brand not available in the UK – from a storage unit in Bolton.
Most were found hidden in metal pipes in a freight consignment.
HM Revenue and Customs uncovered a central storage unit on Hacken Lane, in Bolton, in April. Some of the gang were found at the unit at the time.
Officers identified a number of vehicles being used to transport illegal cigarettes around the North West. These vehicles were observed travelling to and from the commercial unit in Bolton.
DTI has no jurisdiction over fake cigarettes
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has no jurisdiction over the fake cigarettes that have reportedly entered Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City.
Reginald Hudierez of the Enforcement and Confiscation Division of DTI-Negros Occidental said in a telephone interview that circulation of fake or counterfeit products considered criminal offense falls under the jurisdiction of the National Bureau of Investigation.
Cigarettes are not basic necessity and prime commodity, which are covered by the DTI.
Lear MoreSalford man amongst gang jailed for smuggling £760k cigarettes
Seven men who attempted to steal almost £760,000 in tax by selling illegal cigarettes, were jailed this week at Manchester Crown Court.
The men, one of whom is from Swinton, were linked to the crime after an investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) uncovered their central storage unit in Bolton and caught some of the gang there in April 2014.
Lear MoreCounterfeit make-up
WE all want to look beautiful and presentable. Cosmetics can be a quick an easy way to temporarily solve beauty problems of an individual. For that, most people don’t mind spending money on cosmetics which has made the cosmetic and make-up business a multi-billion dollar industry. However, not all consumers know that fake or counterfeit make-up are being sold in the marketplace. What is damaging is the fact that consumers use it without knowing the risks it poses as these counterfeit products are loaded with toxic and harmful chemicals.
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Smuggled cigarettes causing Rs24b loss
Pakistan is losing billions of rupees in annual excise revenue due to large scale and organised smuggling of internationally popular cigarette brands into Pakistan via Afghanistan.
A report by Tobacco Farmers Welfare Association (TFWA) estimates an annual loss in revenue of more than Rs24 billion due to illicit cigarette trade.
The use of smuggled brands like Benson & Hedges, Dunhill, Marlboro, Pine etc. is increasing among Pakistani youth. And while big tobacco firms continue to augment their revenues, Pakistan is suffering major economic losses.
http://nation.com.pk/business/22-Jul-2016/smuggled-cigarettes-causing-rs24b-loss
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