Cuba cracks down on cigar smuggling

Cuba cracks down on cigar smuggling
Wednesday, May 31, 2006

HAVANA (AP) — Cuban customs officials seized nearly 25,000 boxes of
contraband cigars last year in efforts to decrease smuggling of the
world-famous stogies, the island’s domestic news agency AIN reported
yesterday.

Travelers can leave the island with 23 cigars without receipts, but for
any amount above that, they must have proof of purchase from cigar
stores approved by Habanos S.A., Cuba’s cigar marketing firm.

Cigars are one of the island’s most-important exports, worth about $340
million annually. But the prestige of Cuban cigars and a rise in tourism
in recent years have combined to increase the black market for the
product, prompting customs agents to tighten their controls.

Eighty percent of the cigar contraband is discovered at Havana’s Jose
Marti International airport, and it’s often found on people traveling to
Panama or Mexico, customs official Col. Pedro Pupo told AIN. Officials
seize the rest at airports in Santiago de Cuba, Varadero and Holguin, he
said.

Customs also seized 740 pounds of false cigar seals and stamps last
year, AIN reported. The labels are used by those who pass off
low-quality cigars as the real thing.

The news agency did not specify how many cigars were in the 24,690 boxes
seized last year.

http://www.dispatch.com/national-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/05/31/20060531-A6-03.html