An attempt to transport a shipment of counterfeit cigarettes valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars was smoked out in Texas over the weekend.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Laredo Port of Entry intercepted and seized the shipment, which would have been valued at more than $729,000 if the cigarettes were sold as authentic.
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The shipment originated from Vietnam and arrived at Miami Seaport before being transported to Laredo in early March.
Upon arrival, CBP officers placed a hold on the shipment and detained it for further inspection. After an in-depth examination, CBP officers and import specialists assigned to the Agriculture Center for Excellence and Expertise determined that 17,500 cartons of cigarettes bore counterfeit marks.
Following a legal review, the shipment was officially seized on April 25. Had the cigarettes been genuine, the total Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price value of the shipment would have been $729,400.
Boxes containing 17,500 cartons of cigarettes valued at more than $729,000 were seized by CBP in Laredo for bearing counterfeit marks.
“Our CBP officers and import specialists continue to maintain their vigilance and exercise due diligence to ensure that fake goods do not enter U.S. commerce,” Laredo Port Director Albert Flores said in a statement announcing the bust. “They utilize their training, experience, and information from the registered trademark owners to authenticate imported merchandise, and when they encounter counterfeits, they promptly detain and seize such items, thereby protecting the U.S. economy and the consumer.”
