Cigarettes worth €3.8m seized

CUSTOMS OFFICERS backed up by gardaí have made a multimillion euro seizure of cigarettes following an intelligence-led search of a premises in Co Monaghan.

The smuggled haul of nine million President-brand cigarettes has an estimated retail value of €3.8 million.

The officers swooped on Saturday on a large shed used as a warehouse at Clontibret, about five miles from Monaghan town and a short distance from the Border at south Armagh.

The officers ordered a number of people in the shed to lie on the ground while the search was conducted. An official said the cigarettes were smuggled into the country in a 40ft container labelled “sports socks” at Dublin Port. The container arrived at the port on a ship from Malaysia via Rotterdam before being moved to Co Monaghan.

The swoop is believed to have followed a tip-off and subsequent surveillance operation in the Monaghan area on Saturday.

The raid team also confiscated a number of mobile phones from people who were engaged in off-loading furniture from a lorry at the shed.

Revenue authorities estimated the seizure represented a potential loss of €3.2 million to the Irish exchequer, and they have said the seizure is part of a strategy to combat a huge wave of tobacco smuggling.

The latest seizure brings to over 100 million the number of cigarettes seized by Customs so far this year.

Collectively these hauls represent a potential loss of up to €45 million to the exchequer.

A Revenue spokesman said smuggled tobacco products “provide an unknown set of health risks and are funding criminal activity”.

A number of men were questioned about the seizure, and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Store Clerk Beaten for Cigarettes, Head Crushed

A Florida store clerk was viciously beaten over two cartons of cigarettes.

A man walked into Alex's mini-market Sunday afternoon. He brought two gallons of milk to the front counter.

Just as the store's owner began bagging the items, the suspect pulled out a spray can and doused him with an unknown chemical.

But he didn't stop there.

The suspect then grabbed a sledgehammer and started attacking the victim -- bludgeoning him in the head six times.

He eventually grabbed two cartons of cigarettes before fleeing the scene.

"I have two kids, 11 and 7, and he came in, and he sprayed my husband's eyes, and then, he had a hammer and beat him in the head several times," said Phoung Cen, the victim's wife.

The store owner is in extremely critical condition.

Miami police released the surveillance video, hoping it will help lead them to the suspect -- who could face a murder charge if the victim doesn't survive.

Alleged cigarette thief proves to be an escape artist

A 58-year-old Nimishillen Township man who allegedly stole several cartons of cigarettes Friday from Speedway managed to free himself from his handcuffs at the city jail following his arrest, according to jail records.

Paul Hubbard, of 4314 Gephart Ave., is facing felony charges of tampering with evidence and escape and misdemeanor counts of falsification and petty theft. Hubbard is to be arraigned Tuesday morning in Municipal Court.

Jail records show Massillon police officers were dispatched to Speedway, 906 Lincoln Way E, shortly around 4 p.m. Friday after Hubbard fled the store with five cartons of cigarettes valued at $285. Officers reportedly saw Hubbard run eastbound along Lincoln Way to Advanced Auto, 1232 Lincoln Way E, where he attempted to get into a waiting vehicle. Hubbard then kicked the cigarettes underneath the vehicle, police reported. When officers caught up with Hubbard, he reportedly gave them a false name.

Hubbard was arrested and taken to the city jail where he was placed in handcuffs and secured to a bench, jail records show. While the arresting officer was completing paperwork, Hubbard slipped out of the handcuffs and left the building. Officers later discovered him hiding in the jail’s car port, according to jail records.

Afternoon police update has marijuana arrests

Two people were arrested Saturday night on drug possession charges after two special police officers investigated a smoke-filled vehicle parked in a city park at West Walnut Road and South Mill Road.
Kenneth E. Staten, 19, of Fowler Road in Millville allegedly threw a 5-inch marijuana cigar under the vehicle. He was charged with possession of marijuana and tampering with evidence.
Crystal Rivera, 22, of West Park Avenue admitted to holding a bag of “weed.” She was charged with possession of marijuana.

Richard A. Fertig Jr., 32, of Atlantic City was arrested Saturday night on a shoplifting charge. A police search also found a hypodermic needle and a glass tube used to smoke cocaine. He was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, too.

A 1999 Honda Civic was reported stolen early Sunday morning from the 500 block of East Almond Street.

A HP computer and a black mailbox were taken in a residential burglary on the 800 block of East Cherry Street Sunday night.

David I. Alvarado, 20, of Axtell Avenue was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance after a motor vehicle stop Sunday night at Lincoln and Grant avenues.

Tobacco agency reduces fees, interest rates

Processing fees and interest payments of tobacco farmers were slashed by the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) into half.

NTA administrator Edgardo Zaragoza who proposed the cuts said this is in recognition of the role of farmers in achieving food security and to boost their economic standing.

Under the Tobacco Contract Growing System, farmers can avail of processing fees and interest payments of production assistance.

After the NTA board’s approval of the cuts, the usual two percent one-time processing fee shall be reduced to one percent, and the monthly interest rate of one percent, normally with a term of five to six months, shall be reduced to 0.5 percent beginning cropping season 2011-2012.

“The reduction is in line with President Aquino’s commitment to transformational leadership, particularly in treating farmers and rural enterprises as vital to achieving food security and more equitable economic growth, worthy of reinvestment for sustained productivity,” the NTA board said in a statement.

Students present tobacco-free program

Pryor Junior High students are working against tobacco use.

The first reading of a smoke-free and tobacco-free policy was conducted Monday in the monthly Pryor school board meeting. A junior high student group, Students Working Against Tobacco, submitted the policy.

The policy is part of Pryor Schools’ drive to provide a healthier and safer environment at school facilities. Superintendent Don Raleigh said tobacco use is prohibited in all school buildings, but is not prohibited at the athletic fields and the Burdick Center parking lot.

If accepted, the policy will prohibit employees from using tobacco in public or in view of students while they are participating in a class or school activity. Tobacco advertising will not be allowed, including emblems on gear or clothing. Tobacco use includes smoking, chewing or dipping.

Any action on the policy will be conducted in a later board meeting.

The board hired Sandra Dunning as a grant evaluator for the Carol M. White physical education grant program. She will be the evaluator for the duration of the $1 million grant. The grant will be awarded in segments over the next three years.

P.J. Parsons is resigning effective Dec. 20. Parsons, a learning disabilities teacher at Lincoln Elementary, has been employed with the district since 2007.

The interior of the Burdick Center is being repainted. Raleigh said most of the foyer, bathrooms, concession stand and homeside dressing rooms are complete.

Raleigh said the district is planning open house at the high school on Jan. 16, during staff development day.

The following students were selected to their respective All-State Choirs:

Chelsea Arnold, Jordan Bryant, Truett Bryant (alternate), Bethany Reyes, Rachelle Ritter, Charley Shaffer, Michaela Sims. Jordan Bryant has been selected to the All-State Choir for three consecutive years.

Raleigh recognized Joe Hardin and the alternate education students. They have been working with social worker Paula Kennedy and the high school leadership students to create a clothing bank.

The clothing bank “has already benefited many famililes,” Raleigh said. “They have done a great job and put in a lot of hard work. They are making a positive impact on our community.”