Cigarette black market costing governments billions in losses

This is according to Cesar Agurcia, a senior manager for the British American Tobacco’s interests in the Caribbean and Central America who told a recent conference on anti-illicit trade in tobacco conference in Georgetown, Guyana that the illicit economy affects businesses, governments, civil society and individuals.

The conference held on June 29 was sponsored by British American Tobacco, West Indian Tobacco Company, Demerara Tobacco Company and Crime Stoppers International.

Participants which included law-enforcement, industry and customs officials from Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Jamaica, Costa Rica, and Suriname focused on modern trendsetting tactics and strategies of illicit traders, and key characteristics and tools used by tax evaders attempting to smuggle cigarettes into Caribbean countries.

A release from the West Indian Tobacco said there was need to curb the growing illegal activity.

“This is a national security issue, because it has been globally proven that the profits of illicit trade are going to criminal organisations around the world,” he said.

Darrin Carmichael, consultant for Crime Stoppers International, called on public and private institutions to work together to take swift action against the illicit trade. Crime Stoppers International, he said, “recognises that illicit trade is a growing problem worldwide, be it smuggling, counterfeiting, or tax evasion.” While governments are losing billions of dollars in tax revenues, he said, “Legitimate businesses are being undermined and consumers in all our communities are exposed to unregulated, poor made and inferior products.” Attendees praised the hosting of the event and expressed the need for government and industry officials to work together to tackle the issue.

The organisers of the event voiced their hope that greater relationships would be formed between the customs and law enforcement officials in attendance and that “formal bilateral and inter-customs arrangements can be established to collaborate and share intelligence and track, disrupt, and confiscate the illicit products across these countries.”