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Bolivia Destroys 36 Tons of Counterfeit Cigarettes from Paraguay
By PPO Abogados
The Bolivian National Customs Administration (Aduana Nacional de Bolivia) has seized and destroyed 36 tons of counterfeit cigarettes from Paraguay. The cigarettes were valued at US$188,310 and were found in 15 separate operations.
The cigarettes were found hidden in buses, trucks, and a farm in the department of Santa Cruz. They were all counterfeit brands, including Marlboro, Camel, and Winston.
Counterfeited cigarettes pose a threat to the economy and public health. The cigarettes are not subject to the same quality control standards as legitimate cigarettes, and they may contain harmful chemicals. They also harm the reputation of legitimate brands and lead to lost sales, as counterfeited cigarettes often use the trademarks and logos of legitimate brands without permission.
The seizure is part of a larger effort by Aduana Nacional de Bolivia to combat smuggling In the first 21 months of 2023, the agency seized more than US$76 million worth of counterfeited products.
According to a 2022 report by the World Customs Organization, cigarette counterfeiting accounts for 11% of the global cigarette market. In Latin America, cigarette counterfeiting rates are even higher, reaching up to 40% in some countries. The main sources of counterfeit cigarettes in Latin America are Paraguay and China.
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