Law banning ’crackers seen boost to smuggling
BOCAUE, Bulacan—As expected, the industry that profits from fireworks and firecrackers has objected to a government plan to ban their sale and use. Celso Cruz, president emeritus of the Philippine Pyrotechnic Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc. (PPMDAI), said on Friday the ban would only empower illicit fireworks and firecracker traders. He said the prohibition would restore the underground market that thrived before the government passed Republic Act No. 7183 in 1992 to regulate the manufacture and sale of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices. He also said people who could no longer use firecrackers may resort to firing their guns during the New Year’s Eve revelry, increasing cases of indiscriminate firing. Two children in the Ilocos region were killed by stray bullets on Dec. 31, 2013. Cruz said the government had banned the sale of piccolo and the fireworks trade centered in Bulacan province had abided by that rule. But piccolo is smuggled from China and has been distributed widely despite the law, he said.
This was a problem plaguing the Bureau of Customs, he said, but the campaign against firecrackers was attributing firecracker injuries to the legitimate fireworks businesses in Bulacan. Bocaue has been host to 300 fireworks stalls that operate on the days running up to New Year’s Day. The stalls also cater to other occasions all year round, from weddings to fiestas.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/557305/law-banning-crackers-seen-boost-to-smuggling
Lear MoreAnti Counterfeit Market for Food and Pharmaceuticals Expected to Reach US$79.3 Billion by 2014
According to a new market research report, ‘Anti Counterfeit Market for Food and Pharmaceuticals (2009–2014)’, published by Markets and Markets, the global anti counterfeit market for food and pharmaceuticals market is expected to be worth US$79.3 billion by 2014, with an estimated CAGR of 8.6% from 2009 to 2014. The North American market is expected to account for nearly 62% of the total revenues. Browse more than 66 market data tables with 22 figures spread through 250 pages and in-depth TOC on “Anti Counterfeiting Market”. http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/anti-counterfeit-packaging-advanced-technologies-and-global-market-129.html
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Increasing cases of counterfeiting have resulted in implementation of anti counterfeit technologies. Anti counterfeit technologies are of two types namely authentication packaging and track and trace packaging technologies. North America holds a major share of the global anti counterfeit market. Asia has the highest growth rate due to untapped market and significant level of counterfeiting. Europe has a lower growth rate due to a relatively lower number of cases of counterfeiting.
Ohio is third US state to tighten laws on airbag counterfeiting
Ohio has joined Connecticut and New York in passing legislation that makes counterfeiting of vehicle airbags a felony. The law (HB 177) prohibits the manufacture, import or sale of a counterfeit or non-functional airbags, or devices that cause the vehicle’s diagnostic system to inaccurately indicate that the vehicle is equipped with a functional air bag, and increases the penalty for improper replacement of a motor vehicle air bag if the violation results in bodily injury or death. Under the new law, persons found to be distributing fake airbags will be charged with a fifth-degree felony on their first offense, moving up to a fourth-degree felony if convicted again or if their actions result in bodily harm. Each installation or sale will be counted as a separate offense.
Lear MoreCounterfeit Cosmetics, Fragrances-Hazardous to Your Health
You see what appears to be your favorite brand name eye shadow, eye liner, or fragrance for sale at a flea market or on an unfamiliar website. You notice the price is lower than what you normally pay at your favorite retail store or through an authorized online dealer. Before you hand over your hard-earned money, though, keep this in mind: It could be counterfeit, and—in addition to buying something that’s not the real deal—you are also risking your health by buying and using products that may contain substandard or even dangerous substances.
The National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Center—of which the FBI is a partner—wants you to know that the volume of all sorts of counterfeit cosmetics and fragrances coming into the U.S. is definitely on the rise…that’s according to our industry partners as well as law enforcement. Why is this happening? Because the Internet has given counterfeiters widespread access to customers, and because criminals increasingly view dealing in counterfeit personal care products—as well as other knock-off consumer goods as well—as a relatively low-risk crime since many of the perpetrators are located outside of the U.S.
Lear MoreSavanna Tobacco refutes cigarette smuggling charge
HARARE – There were reports last week that Savanna Tobacco was smuggling cigarettes into South Africa and that the company was making millions of dollars through the illegal trade.
DN: There have been accusations in the South African media that Savanna Tobacco is involved in the smuggling of cigarettes to South Africa. Please give us your comment on this.
ST: The accusations are patently false.
There is no iota of evidence by the media in question to back up this fictitious story. One Stephen Botha, head of Forensic Security Services (FSS), telephoned Savanna’s general manager in South Africa at the beginning of December promising “revenge” for the arrest of two of his service providers in Zimbabwe for espionage. Upon further investigation, FSS and Botha have been proven to be service providers for a major competitor of ours.
http://www.dailynews.co.zw/articles/2014/01/02/savanna-tobacco-refutes-cigarette-smuggling-charge
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Fake tobacco vaporisers a health risk, warns Ploom
A US manufacturer of tobacco vaporisers and e-cigarettes has warned that counterfeit copies of its products could be harmful. San Francisco-based Ploom has developed portable vaporisers – colloquially known as ‘vapes’ – that heat rather than burn tobacco and markets them as a “redefinition” of tobacco use. Unlike e-cigarette products these products use real tobacco rather than liquid nicotine. The firm is careful not to make any claims for the products in terms of being healthier than smoking or a way to quit the habit, for fear of falling foul of health claim regulations, but notes that the product produces no smoke.
http://www.securingindustry.com/fake-tobacco-vaporisers-a-health-risk-warns-ploom/s111/a1930/
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Crackdown on fake Swiss watches bears fruit
Swiss watch manufacturers chalked up a number of successes in 2013, with 120,000 counterfeits intercepted in collaboration with the authorities, according to the Swiss News Agency. The Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH) said the bulk of the seizures – around 90,000 items between January and November – took place in operations within Dubai, a primary hub for the counterfeit watch trade, with other raids taking place in Italy and Russia. In addition, around 700,000 counterfeit watch components were also intercepted during 2013. In February, two Dubai warehouses were visited by police and 33,000 fake watches were seized in a single operation, “preventing serious economic loss to wholesalers,” notes the FH. Prior operations have resulted in six convictions, with defendants ordered to serve prison sentences and authorisation given to destroy all confiscated items, it adds.
Lear MoreChennai: Two persons held at airport for smuggling gold worth 30 lakhs
Chennai: Two persons were arrested at the airport in Chennai for allegedly attempting to smuggle gold worth Rs. 30 lakh from Sri Lanka today. Customs officials arrested the two hailing from Tamil Nadu after a check-up revealed they had concealed the precious metal in their body. A total of 900 grams of gold was recovered from the two passengers, who arrived from Colombo, official sources said. In another incident, two Nepali women were held by the immigration officials for allegedly possessing fake passports. A Nepali man was also detained for allegedly helping them, the sources said, adding they were handed over to the local police.
Lear MoreCBP Officers Intercept More Than 24,000 Counterfeit Headphones
Portal, N.D. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers recently targeted a rail container at the port of Portal, North Dakota. On November 16, CBP officers inspected the container and discovered headphones, manufactured in China, bearing the trademark “Beats.” CBP determined that the trademark was counterfeit, and seized 24,660 items with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $10,776,420. “Our CBP officers are working diligently at our ports of entry to protect businesses and consumers every day by combating the trade in counterfeit and pirated goods,” said Barbara Hassler, CBP assistant port director for Trade. “These seizures represent the commitment by CBP to protect the American consumer from receiving fraudulent, inferior and in many cases potentially dangerous products.” CBP is a key player in the enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPR). Stopping the flow of illicit goods is a Priority Trade Issue for CBP. The importation of counterfeit merchandise can damage the U.S. economy, and threaten the health and safety of the American people. With the growth of foreign trade, unscrupulous companies have profited billions of dollars from the sale of counterfeit and pirated goods.
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Hyderabad: Gold worth Rs. 5 crore seized at airport
Hyderabad: Gold bars worth over Rs. 5 crore were today seized at the international airport in Hyderabad from three passengers, who were allegedly trying to smuggle the precious metal, officials said. The trio, who arrived in Hyderabad from Singapore, has been arrested. As many as 18 gold bars, each weighing one kilogram and valued at over Rs. 5 crore, were seized from the passengers who landed at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad during wee hours, a customs official said. The three, Hazi Mohammad, Ziauddin and Chokkalingam – who were travelling by a private airline – will be produced in a local court, he said. The gold was meant to be smuggled to Chennai further, the official said, adding an investigation was on.
http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/hyderabad-gold-worth-rs-5-crore-seized-at-airport-460955
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