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China, Australia bust transnational tobacco-smuggling network, seizing over 90 million cigarettes_我的网站

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A | Reese’s may be in violation of state and federal laws with its new sweepstakes offer currently advertised on packs of peanut butter cups.The promotion on two-cup packages reads “You could win $25,000” and, in smaller print, “See details inside.” But only after consumers have bought and opened a package can they see the small print: no purchase is necessary to enter the sweepstakes.The Reese's contest was first reported Monday by Edgar Dworsky, a consumer advocate and former assistant attorney general in Massachusetts, who runs the Consumer World website.Hershey Co., that Pennsylvania candymaker that owns the Reese’s brand, didn’t immediately respond to telephone and email messages left Monday by The Associated Press.Sweepstakes are primarily governed by state laws, which require that no purchase is necessary to participate. A contest that requires a purchase is a lottery, which is subject to different rules.Three federal agencies __ Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Postal Service __ also enforce laws governing sweepstakes depending on the medium. The Postal Service requires mailed sweepstakes offers to make clear that no purchase is necessary, for example. The FTC doesn't govern sweepstakes specifically, but has broad laws prohibiting “unfair and deceptive acts.”The FTC said Monday that it can’t comment on the practices of particular companies outside of an investigation. It wouldn’t confirm or deny an investigation against Hershey.Dworsky said a sign near Reese’s candy displays making clear that no purchase is necessary might meet legal requirements. But a spot check of candy displays in multiple states __ including California, Virginia and Washington __ found no such signs.Dworsky noted that Reese's ran a similar promotion earlier this year that ended in April using the same packaging. Some of those packages are still for sale, even though the sweepstakes code has expired, he said.Dworsky said he's concerned that the packaging could lure consumers into thinking they need to buy it.“You never have to pay to play. All these packages should be recalled," he said.。

China Customs Photo: VCG
Chinese and Australian law-enforcement agencies have dismantled a transnational tobacco-smuggling network and seized more than 90 million cigarettes in a coordinated operation, China's anti-smuggling bureau announced on Thursday in a WeChat post.
Since the beginning of this year, the Zhanjiang Customs in South China's Guangdong Province, under the unified deployment of the anti-smuggling bureau of China's General Administration of Customs (GAC), has launched a special campaign targeting tobacco smuggling and the production and sale of counterfeit products. Law-enforcement agencies have busted nine illegal cigarette-smuggling groups and shut down nine storage sites, seizing more than 32 million smuggled cigarettes and over 1,100 boxes of e-cigarettes.
Further investigations uncovered a smuggling network in which criminal groups allegedly attempted to conceal counterfeit tobacco products manufactured overseas in legitimate shipments, transport them through China and ultimately smuggle them into Australia, said the post.
To target the entire criminal chain, the GAC anti-smuggling bureau shared relevant information with Australian side through the China-Australia customs enforcement cooperation mechanism. The two sides subsequently launched synchronized enforcement operations. Australian authorities seized 60 million smuggled cigarettes and 60 kilograms of tobacco leaves, according to the release.
Australian border enforcement authorities spoke highly of the joint operation, saying it demonstrated the importance of stronger international customs enforcement cooperation and information sharing, and expressed appreciation for China's support.
An official with the GAC anti-smuggling bureau said the operation had disrupted tobacco-smuggling routes entering and transiting China and dealt a major blow to transnational tobacco-smuggling crimes. Chinese customs authorities said they would continue to strengthen international law-enforcement cooperation and joint efforts against cross-border smuggling to safeguard a sound and orderly international trading environment.
Global Times
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