Shelby07 Posted April 23, 2009 Posted April 23, 2009 http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?n...TE1MDA2ODQzOA== The dark side of Cuban cigars Published Date: March 18, 2009 I'm always scared," said Pedro as he deftly twisted large tobacco leaves to make fake famous name Havana cigars in a clandestine workshop in the Cuban capital. If caught in his illegal workshop, known as a "chinchal," Pedro could face a prison term. "It's not a business, but a necessity to survive," Pedro said in the dim light of the dilapidated building. With long-suffering Cuba hard hit by the economic crisis and pounded by two hurricanes last year, the government has stepped up its fight against illegall trade, including in cigars. Sales in the famous smokes fell three percent last year, according to a report released at a Havana trade show last month. But workers such as Pedro do not plan to give up their lucrative business any time soon despite the risks. The 33-year-old, sporting an earring and a tracksuit, learned his craft in state factories, making famous brands such as Cohiba, Romeo y Julieta or Montecristo cigars. He used to earn the country's average monthly wage of 17 dollars per month, but he declined to reveal the size of his pay rise since turning to the black market five years ago. Pedro's skilled hands make around 100 cigars per day, and a box of 25 sells for between 30 and 40 dollars, four or five times below the official price. President Raul Castro's government recently underlined the need to defend the values of the island's 50-year-old revolution in its campaign against corruption, which impacts on an annual tobacco income of 390 million dollars. Forgeries and the black market are two scourges which really affect the image of Havana cigars: on the one hand because the products are false, and on the other because they affects the distribution network that we've built up," said Adargelio Garrido, legal director of the Anglo-Cuban group Habanos. Each traveler to Cuba is allowed to take home up to two boxes of cigars, but authorities still confiscate between 1,500 and 1,700 boxes per month made in illegal workshops like Pedro's. A small cement staircase leads to the crumbling workshop, which operates with a network of helpers. Farmers from the western Pinar del Rio province-birthplace of Cuba's prestigious tobacco-provide the leaves, while factory workers steal wooden boxes, paper rings and other official stamps and certificates. "It's not that difficult to get supplies from factories because all the administrative services work separately, so they're not suited to check ups," said 42-year-old Juan, one of many clandestine retailers. Pedro said he turned to the illegal trade five years ago when his father fell sick. He set up the operation in the elderly man's home and turned one room into an illegal workshop. "No one knows what I'm doing here, not even members of my family. It's very dangerous," he whispered as he mechanically lined up cigars on a table, surrounded by tobacco leaves scattered on the floor. "I'd like to give it up, or work outside Cuba where you get paid for the value of your work," Pedro added. - AFP
habanohal Posted April 23, 2009 Posted April 23, 2009 I understand you need to do what yoo half to for supporting yourself and family but F++K Pedro!!!!!!!!!!!
Shelby07 Posted April 23, 2009 Author Posted April 23, 2009 I understand you need to do what yoo half to for supporting yourself and family but F++K Pedro!!!!!!!!!!! I don't believe there is any danger of anyone here supporting Pedro. Just thought the article was interesting.
greenpimp Posted April 23, 2009 Posted April 23, 2009 Man, I bear no ill will at all to Pedro. God bless him. So rich tourists who skimp to buy 30 dollar boxes outside of factories (2 months pay to him before) helped him get medicine and food. Cigars are cigars and life is life. God bless Pedro.
Wiley Posted April 23, 2009 Posted April 23, 2009 I agree. He's got to roll with the cards he's been dealt. It's not like he's turned to kidnapping, drugs, prostitution or robbery.
semery74 Posted April 23, 2009 Posted April 23, 2009 I would buy a roll of 50 from Pedro, if he could roll me some sublime extras with a full bodied crescendo. I have had some finger burning fakes before, but I would never count on consistency. Just think of Pedro as a Divan Roller, we could sit down over a cup of cafe con leche and discuss what I value in a cigar. And then he can roll me as many as I can afford to take home. If I was in Cuba, why would I want to buy and take home something that is already available? I'm sure some of the locals have some dynamite stuff.
El Presidente Posted April 23, 2009 Posted April 23, 2009 I would buy a roll of 50 from Pedro, if he could roll me some sublime extras with a full bodied crescendo. I have had some finger burning fakes before, but I would never count on consistency. Just think of Pedro as a Divan Roller, we could sit down over a cup of cafe con leche and discuss what I value in a cigar. And then he can roll me as many as I can afford to take home. If I was in Cuba, why would I want to buy and take home something that is already available? I'm sure some of the locals have some dynamite stuff. Most Pedro's would work for Juan who overseas procurement of leaf/boxes/bands/etc. Juan purchases leaf brought in from Remedios or Las Tunas by Jorge who trucks agricultural product into Havana from those regions twice a week. The leaf is hidden in the back of his 50 year old Bedford truck above the sacks of rice and below the vegetables. Jorge deals with Miguel who procures the cheapest leaf he can find from 2 Fincas. Wrappers need to look good but no need to spend money on Ligero when Volado will do. Late in the season they purchase cigarette tobacco. Good luck blending a cigar with them There are very good fakes but in the main these are directly stolen from the fabrica's. Habanos cigars, just not the Marque you think they are.
greenpimp Posted April 24, 2009 Posted April 24, 2009 I don't mean to endorse counterfeiting. But if you don't pay people a livable wage, then these kind of things are immediately excused in my moral thinking. Until they pay rollers (and others) appropriately, this will occur and I do not blame them one iota.
sounddust Posted April 24, 2009 Posted April 24, 2009 I, for one, wish Pedro all the best. The day where there are no counterfeits is the day there's peace on earth. In the mean time, education, education, education.
SethG Posted April 24, 2009 Posted April 24, 2009 I think I was actually in the middle of a counterfeiting operation once in a foreign country (not cuba). They had a Torcedor from Cuba on a six month vacation and this guy was clearly one of the best out of the factory. They brought in Cuban leaf (all different kinds, not just crap) and the guy would just sit there and roll boxes of classic sizes. I mean he could nail anything, A's, Romeo's, Salamones, Pigtailed Fundadores and Robusto XL's. Amazing construction, great wrappers, blended everything. They would sell these cigars as hand rolled cuban's with no name in this shape. But, do the math yourself, a big portion of that has to be rebanded and shipped off in boxes. You'd get it, construction's great, it was being rolled in an LCDH so the bands/boxes will be perfect. Blend's just wrong, period. And here's the thing, could you get pissed? No, in front of you they were selling exactly what they said they were, unlabeled hand rolled and inexpensive cuban cigars by a Cuban roller who was obviously incredibly experienced.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now