The
Organised Crime Investigation Division (OCID) has uncovered a major scam in
which more than $100 million worth of bootleg Craven "A" cigarettes
were imported to the island.
The cigarettes, which are said to be difficult to distinguish from the authentic brand, are being circulated in the local retail trade.
One person has so far been charged in connection with the scam and several business operators in Kingston, St. James and Westmoreland are under investigation.
Police investigators first became aware of the bootleg cigarettes following a raid at a wholesale establishment on Red Hills Road in St. Andrew last month, where 70,000 counterfeit Craven "A" cigarettes were allegedly found.
The Chinese owner of the business place was arrested and charged with several breaches of the Trademark and Copyright Acts.
She was granted $250,000 station bail and is scheduled to appear in the Half Way Tree Criminal Court on Tuesday.
Other raids were carried out in St. James and Westmoreland on Friday and Saturday as the police went in search of business operators who were reportedly selling the cigarettes.
Several Chinese shop owners were taken into custody after being found with a large quantity of the counterfeit cigarettes.
They have been released until the police obtain the services of an interpreter to help with the questioning exercise.
Head of OCID Superintendent Fitz Bailey told RJR News Centre Wednesday night that his Department would be intensifying its clampdown on retailers of counterfeit cigarettes.
Investigators suspect that the bootleg cigarettes were brought in from China by unscrupulous importers.
A spokesman for Carreras Limited told our newsroom that he was aware of the scam.
The Craven "A" Brand is owned by Carreras and British American Tobacco Company Limited.
Carreras is the local distributor and marketer.
The cigarettes, which are said to be difficult to distinguish from the authentic brand, are being circulated in the local retail trade.
One person has so far been charged in connection with the scam and several business operators in Kingston, St. James and Westmoreland are under investigation.
Police investigators first became aware of the bootleg cigarettes following a raid at a wholesale establishment on Red Hills Road in St. Andrew last month, where 70,000 counterfeit Craven "A" cigarettes were allegedly found.
The Chinese owner of the business place was arrested and charged with several breaches of the Trademark and Copyright Acts.
She was granted $250,000 station bail and is scheduled to appear in the Half Way Tree Criminal Court on Tuesday.
Other raids were carried out in St. James and Westmoreland on Friday and Saturday as the police went in search of business operators who were reportedly selling the cigarettes.
Several Chinese shop owners were taken into custody after being found with a large quantity of the counterfeit cigarettes.
They have been released until the police obtain the services of an interpreter to help with the questioning exercise.
Head of OCID Superintendent Fitz Bailey told RJR News Centre Wednesday night that his Department would be intensifying its clampdown on retailers of counterfeit cigarettes.
Investigators suspect that the bootleg cigarettes were brought in from China by unscrupulous importers.
A spokesman for Carreras Limited told our newsroom that he was aware of the scam.
The Craven "A" Brand is owned by Carreras and British American Tobacco Company Limited.
Carreras is the local distributor and marketer.
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