Sheriff’s deputy accused of gang activity, smuggling drugs into Lerdo sentenced to 3 years probation
A Lerdo detention deputy who allegedly smuggled tobacco into the detention center for criminal street gang members was sentenced to three years probation Monday.Leroy Martin Romero plead no contest to conspiring to commit a crime. His other four charges, including transporting a controlled substance, were dismissed back in October.He was sentenced to one day in jail but had previously served that time.
Lear More
3 Prison Workers Indicted For Smuggling Phones & Contraband
It’s happened again. Three prison workers are indicted on charges of smuggling cell phones and contraband inside Baltimore City jails.The state’s attorney’s office says two correctional employees at the Baltimore City Detention Center tried to smuggle tobacco and painkillers into the facility for inmates.A volunteer yoga instructor at the Chesapeake Detention Facility is accused of trying to smuggle cell phones into that jail.
http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2014/11/24/3-prison-workers-indicted-for-smuggling-phones-contraband/
Lear MoreEaton Fights Counterfeiting With Updated Reporting Tips
PITTSBURGH— Power management company Eaton today announced tips aimed at helping professionals properly report counterfeit electrical products. The tips will assist professionals throughout the electrical supply chain with tools to recognize and report suspect products to ultimately help brands and law enforcement identify potential counterfeit product supply chains.
Eaton developed these tips in response to results from its joint survey with the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC). Survey results indicated that educational programs are helping to increase awareness of the dangers of counterfeit products, but these products continue to be found in the field and generally are not reported.
http://www.inddist.com/news/2014/11/eaton-fights-counterfeiting-updated-reporting-tips
Lear More
Anti-smoking group urges Hy-Vee to stop selling tobacco products
As they continue their mission to reduce tobacco use in Iowa, a group is calling on Hy-Vee to stop selling tobacco products in its stores.The Iowa Tobacco Prevention Alliance (ITPA) posted a petition online to get the West Des Moines-based grocery chain to stop selling tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, at any store that has a pharmacy or health clinic.
http://wqad.com/2014/11/23/anti-smoking-group-urges-hy-vee-to-stop-selling-tobacco-products/
Lear MorePricey cloud of smoke over BAT
The Wall Street Journal reported last week that the British tax authority, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), had hit BAT with a £650000 (R11.2-million) fine for oversupplying cigarettes into the Belgian market.Because tobacco products in Belgium have a lower tax rate, the practice has meant the surplus can be smuggled back to the UK, according to the paper.This is the first time the UK tax authority has penalised a major cigarette producer for the “oversupply of products to high-risk overseas markets”, according to documents seen by Wall Street Journal staff.
Lear More
Sunderland smuggler jailed for part in £1.3m cigarette operation
A SUNDERLAND smuggler has been jailed for his part in a £1.3million cigarette smuggling gang.Glen Chrisp, of Pear Tree Mews, Sunderland, was part of a 10-strong gang brought before Newcastle Crown Court yesterday, to face conspiracy charges of fraudulent evasion of £1.3m duty, and money laundering a total of £820,000 in profits from the scam, between January 2010 and October 2012.Newcastle Crown Court heard hundreds of thousands of pounds passed through the bank accounts of the conspirators involved – who were all claiming benefits – and hundreds of flights and boat trips were booked to collect shipments from Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg.
Lear More
How Amazon India deals with Fake Products
How does Amazon India deal with fake products? A couple of days ago, we were alerted about an allegedly fake Xiaomi Power Bank being sold on Amazon India, with verified buyers writing reviews indicating that the product being sold is fake. What’s worth noting is that this product is a part of the “Fulfilled by Amazon” program, which means that it is being warehoused with Amazon India, and delivered by them. Given that fake goods are being sold online, and brands are warning consumers against purchasing products online (details here), the fact that a product is being Fulfilled by Amazon would make a consumer more confident about purchasing it.
http://www.medianama.com/2014/10/223-amazon-india-fake/
Lear More
North East family gang smuggling £750,000 of tobacco sentenced
A gang of North East smugglers, including four members of the same family, has been sentenced today after their £750,000 tobacco smuggling ring was stopped by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).The gang of 10, led by Michael Linney from South Shields, was caught out when HMRC officers intercepted parcels containing illegal tobacco, which were being delivered to addresses across South Tyneside.Also involved were: Michael Linney’s wife, Victoria Linney, his daughter, Kirsten Jane Linney, Grant Smith, Justin Sheriff, Glenn Paul Chrisp, Leonard Clouston, Lee Ellison, and Paul Anthony Lowery, all from South Shields, as well as Michael Linney’s son, Kris Michael Linney, from Jarrow.
Lear More
Counterfeits bulldozed in Swiss awareness campaign
Switzerland’s Stop Piracy group publicly destroyed 15,000 tonnes of counterfeit watches and two tonnes of illicit medicines last month as part of an awareness-raising campaign.The ‘destruction derby’ – which took place in Berne on October 21 – was designed to tie in with the ongoing ‘We subsidise criminals’ media campaign that aims to make consumers aware of the organised networks behind counterfeiting.
Lear More
The true cost of cheap tobacco on the streets of Plymouth
TOBACCO smuggling is supporting criminality in the city and “robbing taxpayers of millions”. In the last 12 months, Trading Standards officers in Plymouth has seized nearly £13,000 worth of tobacco and cigarettes. Each year HMRC and Border Force prevent billions of cigarettes and hundreds of tonnes of illegal tobacco entering the UK. While some non-UK duty paid (NUKDP) tobacco is brought into the country legitimately by smokers returning from abroad for their own consumption, some is smuggled into the UK solely for illegal sale. This illegal activity is undertaken by individuals, right through to organised criminal gangs (OCGs).
Lear More