Cuban Customs has uncovered an attempt to smuggle over 26,000 counterfeit stamps of well-known Cuban cigar brands from the United States through Havana's international airport. These fake stamps were intended to legitimize cigars for illegal sale within Cuba.
The revelation was confirmed by William Pérez González, First Deputy Chief of the General Customs of the Republic, who shared details on the social platform X.
According to Pérez González, the operation successfully identified the irregular shipment and reported the case to the National Revolutionary Police (PNR).
In a separate inspection, authorities seized 99 boxes and more than 300 loose cigars of various prestigious brands that were intended for illegal export to Europe, the official highlighted on X.
The two individuals involved in this incident were also reported to the PNR.
Cuban Customs emphasized its commitment to maintaining strict surveillance at airports and borders to combat the smuggling and forgery of export goods, which undermines the image and control of one of Cuba's most iconic economic sectors.
In response to the increasing attempts to smuggle cigars, customs officials in Cuba have intensified their inspections. Recently, more than 2,200 cigars were found hidden in a passenger's luggage at Havana's international airport.
The merchandise was being taken out of the country undeclared, violating existing export regulations.
Previously, similar incidents had been reported. One of the most significant seizures involved over 7,000 cigars being transported by a traveler with the intent to leave the country from the Havana terminal.
The sheer volume of the cargo raised alarms due to the repeated pattern of these illicit export attempts.
Moreover, just days earlier, there was news of an operation attempting to export thousands of counterfeit cigars from the island. This not only highlights the use of commercial routes for smuggling but also indicates the presence of organized forgery networks aiming to introduce unauthorized products into the market under reputable brand names.
Combating Cigar Smuggling in Cuba
What measures is Cuban Customs taking to prevent cigar smuggling?
Cuban Customs is reinforcing strict surveillance at airports and borders to prevent the smuggling and forgery of cigars and other export products.
How did Cuban Customs discover the fake cigar stamps?
The fake cigar stamps were discovered during an operation at Havana's international airport, where customs officials identified the irregular shipment from the United States.
What are the consequences for those caught smuggling cigars in Cuba?
Individuals caught smuggling cigars face legal action and are reported to the National Revolutionary Police (PNR) for further investigation and potential prosecution.