From the UK to Uganda, from Sweden to Singapore and beyond, law enforcement is scoring success after success in stopping counterfeit cigarette operations. But are these actions even making a dent in ending the global counterfeit plague?

United Kingdom: Millions of Cigarettes Seized from Passengers at Airport Did you know? Almost one in five of the cigarettes smoked in the UK has been either smuggled into the country, is a counterfeit, or both – with many of them entering the country through airports. Thanks to the HM Revenue and Customs Officers (HMRC), an astounding four-and-a-half million cigarettes and nearly one ton of hand rolling devices have been seized during the last few months at Stansted Airport. Some of the contraband was found in freight arriving at the airport, but most of it came from passengers. One of them had over 2,000 cigarettes strapped around his waist; another, claiming to be on vacation, had no clothes at all but had a suitcase full of illegal cigarettes.

According to HMRC spokeswoman, Maddy Ratnett, “As a result of these detections at Stansted, millions of illegal cigarettes have been removed from the market place…” Duty lost from tobacco brought in illegally through Stansted is estimated to be £1.25 million.

Namibia: Police Seize a Container-Full of Contraband Cigarettes Worth Millions of Dollars Reliable sources informed The Namibian that the port of Walvis Bay was the scene for the operation. The Erongo Police chief, Deputy Commissioner Festus Shilongo, confirmed the incident which reportedly involved a Walvis Bay businessman. He also said that neighboring South Africa and customs officials were assisting the effort. The container, whose origins were not revealed, was seized on a property in the town’s industrial area.

Stockholm: Customs Authorities Seize 16 Million Contraband Cigarettes It’s Sweden’s biggest haul of smuggled tobacco yet. And the seizure, reported to have netted counterfeits of well-known brands, also resulted in the arrest of four people. It also follows another successful enforcement operation in which about 9.5 million cigarettes were taken by authorities in Gothenburg on Sweden’s west coast late last year.

Uganda: URA Impounds Illegal Cigarettes In a recent Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) enforcement action, contraband Supermatch cigarettes worth sh13 million were impounded in different operations on the Sudan-Uganda border. According to Lt. Patrick Mwesige, the URA's enforcement supervisor for the northern region, the largest consignment of 24 cartons worth sh7 million was intercepted while being stuffed into a salon car near a small forest at the border. Another 20 cartons were impounded from a store in Offaka village on the Arua-Nebbi road, while five cartons were got concealed in a truck. Unfortunately, the suspects were not apprehended.

Canada: Cops Bust Counterfeit Cigarette Ring An initiative headed by the RCMP and the Canada Border Service Agency netted 4,800 cartons of cigarettes, including thousands of counterfeit and Chinese cigarettes worth an estimated $345, 600 on the streets today. Five individuals including two Markham and three Toronto men were arrested for the unlawful possession of tobacco products as stated in the Excise Act of 2001. Originating from China, the cigarettes were shipped to Canada on a freight container bound for Toronto – and represent more than C$212,000 in duties and taxes lost by Ottawa.

California: CBP Seizures of Counterfeit Cigarettes Result in Philip Morris Lawsuit Two lawsuits recently filed by Philip Morris USA to stop the importation, distribution and sale of counterfeit cigarettes arose from two seizures by the US Bureau of Customs and Border Protection at the Port of Los Angeles. The Customs’ Notice of Seizure listed Sorensen Lighted Controls of Hartford, Conn., as the importer of 47,378 cartons of counterfeit Marlboro® cigarettes, and Damakali S.A. de CV of Queretaro, Mexico, as the importer of 28,260 cartons of counterfeit Marlboro® and Marlboro® Lights cigarettes.

Singapore: 450 Cartons of Contraband Cigarettes Seized Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority recently discovered a secret cargo of illegal cigarettes, said to have a total market value of S$40,500, at Woodlands Checkpoint.  The stash, which was hidden at the front of a container truck, was revealed when the enforcement officers noticed freshly painted rivets on the truck and found the inner length of the vehicle to be significantly shorter than its exterior. The 36-year-old Malaysian driver said he was promised about S$394 by loan sharks whom he owed S$13,139 if he successfully delivered the contraband cigarettes.

With counterfeit cigarettes accounting for the largest number of fake articles seized worldwide, all the above is certainly good news. But it also makes one think of just how vast and far-reaching these counterfeit cigarette operations are and conclude that there is still so much more to be done.