Smoke signal to criminal counterfeiters [1]
Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 18:00. Updated on Friday, May 9, 2014 - 11:36.
Tonga's Minister of Finance, Hon. Siosiua 'Utoikamanu sent out a smoke signal to criminals when he set fire to 2.6 million counterfeit Winfield Extra Mild cigarettes at the Waste Management facility in Ma'ufanga today.
"This morning I wanted to send a clear message to criminals that Tonga will not tolerate illegal activities, which violate the intellectual property rights of legitimate businesses. I started the process of destroying TOP$500,000 worth of counterfeit cigarettes and will continue to target criminals who import contraband goods. The Government is committed and will work closely with other countries to provide a solid front against these illegal activities."
He said that the Tongan government was fully committed to catching and prosecuting anyone involved in illegal imports of contraband goods. "Those that do will feel the full force of the law. Officials from Customs and Revenue Services will be working closely with the Police Department to stamp out criminal activities involving trademark counterfeit imports."
The destruction of the counterfeit cigarettes was ordered by Mr. Justice Ian Thomas at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court on April 21 after a two-day hearing of a case that was brought by the owner of Winfield Extra Mild, the American Cigarette Company (Overseas) Ltd., against G & P Trading Ltd. of Pahu, the importer of the counterfeit cigarettes from Singapore.
The incineration process will take two days, but foreign diplomats, the Australian High Commissioner Mr. Colin Hill, the Deputy New Zealand High Commissioner Mr. Jonathan Curr, and officials from the Ministry of Health and the Customs Department, were at the incineration site this morning to witness the beginning of the destruction of the counterfeit cigarettes.