Philip Morris Sues - Counterfeit Marlboros

Philip Morris USA will sue over counterfeit cigarettes. The nation's largest tobacco company accuses 10 New York and New Jersey retailers of selling counterfeit Marlboro cigarettes in the federal lawsuit that was filed late last week. They have now filed lawsuits against a total of 27 stores this year in the two states in an effort to defend their brand.ABC News reports, "Philip Morris is asking the court to ban the retailers — small grocery stores and delis — from purchasing, distributing or selling counterfeit Marlboro cigarettes. It also is asking for companies to turn over their profits from the illegal cigarettes, along with punitive damages and attorney's fees."
In a move certain to raise the ire and interest of cash starved governments, Philip Morris "alleges that in addition to selling products with bogus branding, the state and federal taxes were not properly paid on the cigarettes," a report from NJ Biz adds.
The company added that both New York and New Jersey are areas rife for counterfeit tobacco products due to the high taxes levied against each product. An Associated Press story notes, "in New York City, a pack of Marlboro cigarettes can cost more than $10."

Authorities release image of suspect in Cambridge City robbery

The Wayne County Sheriff’s Department released a photo this morning of a man wearing a blue surgical mask who robbed a gas station at gunpoint Sunday morning near Cambridge City.
“The suspect approached the counter and acted like he was going to buy a Mountain Dew and two packs of Marlboro cigarettes,” Chief Deputy Jeff Cappa said in a release issued this morning.
After the clerk scanned the items into the register, the suspect pulled a small handgun and demanded money from the register. The clerk complied with the demands, and the suspect fled the store with an undisclosed amount of money, Cappa said.
The robbery took place at 2:20 a.m. Sunday at Gas America, 1589 Indiana 1 N.
The suspect is described as about 5 feet, 9 inches tall with a medium build. He wore a gray hooded jacket, black gloves, blue jeans and white shoes.
The sheriff’s department immediately secured the scene and processed evidence, including video surveillance.

Philip Morris Thai unit faces tax charges - police

BANGKOK (Reuters) - The Thai unit of Philip Morris International Inc faces charges that it violated customs tax rules by understating the prices of imported cigarettes, a Thai police official said on Thursday.
Philip Morris (Thailand) denied the allegations.
The head of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), Thewee Sodsong, told Reuters the case had been submitted to the public prosecutor, adding: "It's up to the prosecutor what the next step will be."
The distributor of Marlboro and L&M cigarettes is accused of deception from 2003-2007, causing a loss of 69 billion baht ($2.03 billion) in taxes.
If the Attorney General's office agrees with the DSI's submission, the case could go to court.
No one at Philip Morris (Thailand) was immediately available for comment, but the company issued a statement saying it was confident the prosecutor would conclude that its actions were in accordance with international and Thai customs valuation methods.
"The DSI's allegations concerning our declared customs values are no different than those first reported in the press in 2006 and we believe they have no merit," it said.
Thai media reported that 10 Thai executives of Philip Morris had been summoned by the DSI to acknowledge charges of breaching the Customs Act and the Tobacco Act on Oct. 2.
The DSI has also obtained arrest warrants for four foreign executives who have fled.