Florida Raids Result in Arrests, Massive Seizure of Counterfeit Cigars
Counterfeit cigars remain a hefty problem in today's marketplace, for both Cuban and non-Cuban brands. While some companies invest in preventive anti-piracy measures, General Cigar Co. has taken a more direct approach and brought the fight directly to the source. The company has announced a massive takedown of counterfeit cigar manufacturers and distributors spread throughout Florida. Teams of special agents from the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (ABT) recently swooped in to warehouses and cigar retailers across Florida in a series of raids that resulted in the arrests of multiple individuals and the seizure of thousands of cigars bearing the names Cohiba, Macanudo and Partagas.
The Tampa office of the ABT began investigations more than a year ago, at the request of General Cigar. As the investigation developed, special agents in multiple ABT offices worked in tandem to gather intelligence on entities and individuals in Florida suspected of involvement in the manufacture, distribution and sale of counterfeit cigars.
The cigars seized in the raids have an estimated retail value in excess of $100,000, according to General. Special agents also seized tens of thousands of counterfeit cigar bands, boxes and related paraphernalia—the value of which has yet to be calculated.
"While a complete inventory of the seized items has yet to be completed by the authorities, the company expects that this will constitute one of the largest seizures of counterfeit versions of its cigars and cigar bands ever," Victoria McKee, director of public relations for General Cigar, told Cigar Aficionado.
Approximately 12 individuals have been arrested. The ABT has charged them with felony forgery, counterfeiting of private labels and related offenses under Florida law. Investigations are ongoing, with multiple arrests and seizures occurring throughout the state, including Clearwater, Davenport, Fort Myers, Hollywood, Lutz, Oldsmar, Palm Harbor, Tampa and Weeki Wachee.
The Tampa office of the ABT informed Cigar Aficionado that all arrests occurred within the last couple of months. Those charged are now awaiting prosecution.
The largest of the recent takedowns occurred in late February, involving Island Cigars Corp., a licensed cigar distributor and retailer. Special agents swarmed the company's Weeki Wachee headquarters and Oldsmar retail location, seizing huge payloads of cigars suspected to be counterfeit as well as cigar related materials. The ABT also confiscated the company's business records, computers and printers. Rolando Gruart, president of Island Cigars and his wife, Constanza Sanchez, secretary and treasurer of the company, were arrested during the raids.
Asked to comment on the situation, Constanza Sanchez declined to speak to Cigar Aficionado, and advised the publication to speak to their attorney. Successive attempts were made to retrieve a statement from Gruart, Sanchez or their legal council, but all phone calls went unreturned.
"We remain fully committed to anti-counterfeiting initiatives that protect consumers and greatly appreciate the efforts of the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco and its special agents," said Dan Carr, president of General Cigar. "The company will continue to vigorously defend our trademarks and support criminal investigations and prosecutions relating to the distribution or sale of counterfeit versions of our cigars."
For cigar companies and consumers, grappling with counterfeiters and their wares is an upward battle. Knockoffs that pass for the real thing have disastrous effects on the health of the consumer and the perception of the brand. Cigar Aficionado's counterfeit gallery can help consumers identify and stay away from black-market smokes.
