Cuban customs detects an attempt to smuggle out more than 370 boxes of counterfeit cigars through Havana airport

[El Presidente]

 

Cuban customs detects an attempt to smuggle out more than 370 boxes of counterfeit cigars through Havana airport

 

The General Customs of the Republic of Cuba reported the detection of an attempt to illegally extract more than 370 boxes of counterfeit cigars at the "José Martí" International Airport in Havana.

The finding was reported by Wiliam Pérez González, the first deputy chief of Customs, who announced the case through his account on X.

According to official information, two passengers were attempting to smuggle counterfeit tobacco boxes of various brands out of the country, an operation that violated the current legal regulations for the export of such products, as established by the Ministry of Agriculture.

In a message on Facebook, the Customs announced that the appropriate measures were taken and the traveler involved was made available to the competent authorities.

"The case was reported to the police," Pérez González specified.

The institution noted that these types of illegal operations violate current regulations and also impact the international reputation of Cuban tobacco

 

 

[JDoughty]

Would be useful to know where they were going! Even the country of end destination. 

[BrightonCorgi]

Were they actually counterfeit?

[Malt]

Looks like the ones I got in Jamaica.

[MKB59]

They were probably coming to the US where I would have bought them! 🤣

[LizardGizmo]

How many suitcases would be needed for 370 boxes? 15? 20? How can someone think this is going to work? 

I would bet if they're dumb enough to attempt this, they probably also didn't realize they were counterfeit cigars.

[JDoughty]

13 minutes ago, LizardGizmo said:

How many suitcases would be needed for 370 boxes? 15? 20? How can someone think this is going to work? 

I would bet if they're dumb enough to attempt this, they probably also didn't realize they were counterfeit cigars.

Alternatively they were headed to one of the notorious online merchants who sell completely fake sh*t and know it's fake sh*t. Won't name names but there are definitely some suspects. Temu habanos ftw! 😆

[El Presidente]

I recall some 18 years ago during the notorious "Habanos B" period when $2 million USD shipment of Cuban cigars were seized in Europe. Habanos called them fake. 

Investigations revealed some interesting parties involved. It was quietly settled behind the scenes. They made their way onto the international grey market. They were legitimate Habanos. 

 

[Havanaaddict]

Habanos is always going to say they were counterfeit cigars as long as they did not go through the proper channels. As far as they are considered they are counted as counterfeit as they did not receive the money for them!

[BrightonCorgi]

5 hours ago, El Presidente said:

I recall some 18 years ago during the notorious "Habanos B" period when $2 million USD shipment of Cuban cigars were seized in Europe. Habanos called them fake. 

Investigations revealed some interesting parties involved. It was quietly settled behind the scenes. They made their way onto the international grey market. They were legitimate Habanos. 

Exactly my point. They're not counterfeit.