Latest news with #AfricaR.Bell
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
749 Cartons of Cigarettes Worth Nearly $60,000 Confiscated from Cruise Passengers in California
749 cartons of illegally imported cigarettes concealed in 10 pieces of luggage were found in California on Thursday, April 17, per a U.S. Customs and Border Protection press release The discovery was made after CBP officers inspected cruise passengers who had traveled out of Ensenada, Mexico The total value of the cigarettes is estimated to be $59,920Two female cruise passengers attempted to illegally import 749 cartons of cigarettes worth nearly $60,000 into California. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said in a press release on Wednesday, May 14, that the cruise ship traveled out of Ensenada, Mexico, and arrived at the Long Beach Cruise Ship Terminal on Thursday, April 17. Upon inspection by CBP officers assigned to the Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport area on that date, it was discovered that the women had 10 pieces of luggage full of cigarettes. CBP officers found 326 cartons of Newport 100's, 58 cartons of Newport regulars, 112 cartons of Marlboro Red, 43 cartons of Marlboro Silver, and 210 cartons of Marlboro Gold cigarettes, the agency said. According to the CBP, based on a low-end estimate of $80 a carton in California, the cigarettes' total value is estimated to be $59,920. Although the two women could present purchase receipts for the 749 cartons of cigarettes, the CBP said the pair did not provide the appropriate permits to import the large quantity of tobacco products. The CBP said that because the women were traveling with a high number of cigarettes, they would be considered "commercial" and not for personal use, resulting in the need for an importer permit from the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). The TTB states on its website that an importer permit is required anytime anyone wishes to import tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff, pipe tobacco, or roll your own tobacco into the U.S. for business purposes. Tobacco product labels must also meet FDA standards, including nicotine warnings and accurate product descriptions. Since the women did not present the proper documentation, the CBP said that all 749 cartons were seized and would be destroyed under CBP supervision. Cheryl M. Davies, CBP Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles, said in a statement that the "importation of tobacco products is highly regulated from both tax and consumer safety perspectives." 'Travelers who intentionally disregard U.S. importation laws and regulations often pay a high price," she added. Africa R. Bell, CBP Port Director of Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport noted that the selling of illegally important cigarettes could also "yield high profits for underground vendors due to the low cost of cigarettes when purchased overseas and the evasion of taxes owed upon import." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'This type of scheme not only evades revenue owed to the United States but may be harmful to the American consumer," Bell said. "CBP officers at our nation's largest seaport complex, remain committed to enforcing our laws and to protect the American public." Read the original article on People
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
An estimated $60K in cigarettes seized from cruise passengers in California
U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized nearly 750 cartons of illegally imported cigarettes from two cruise passengers in Long Beach, California. Officers found the cigarettes, including Newport 100s, Marlboro Red, Marlboro Silver and other varieties, in 10 pieces of luggage during an April 17 inspection, according to a May 14 news release. The couple had arrived from Ensenada, Mexico on a cruise. The agency did not identify the travelers or the cruise line they were sailing with. 'Large quantities of cigarettes are considered 'commercial' not personal use; therefore, an importer permit from the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is required,' CBP said in the release. 'In addition, tobacco product labels must meet FDA standards, such as including nicotine warnings and accurate product descriptions.' The two women had receipts for the cigarettes but could not show the required permits. CBP estimated the cartons – which will be destroyed under the agency's supervision – to be valued at $59,920. 'Selling illegally imported cigarettes could yield high profits for underground vendors due to the low cost of cigarettes when purchased overseas and the evasion of taxes owed upon import,' added Africa R. Bell, CBP Port Director of Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport. 'This type of scheme not only evades revenue owed to the United States but may be harmful to the American consumer.' The news comes after CBP said in late April that officers had seized close to 72 grams of heroin mixed with fentanyl from a cruise passenger arriving in Galveston, Texas. Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: CBP seizes estimated $60K in illegal cigarettes from cruise passengers
USA Today
15-05-2025
- USA Today
An estimated $60K in cigarettes seized from cruise passengers in California
An estimated $60K in cigarettes seized from cruise passengers in California Show Caption Hide Caption FDA proposes cutting nicotine in cigarettes by more than half The FDA has proposed caps on nicotine in cigarettes. The potential rule could reduce the concentration of nicotine in cigarettes by more than half. Scripps News CBP confiscated approximately 750 cartons of illicit cigarettes from two cruise passengers in Long Beach. The cigarettes, lacking necessary permits and FDA-compliant labels, were discovered in the passengers' luggage after arriving from Ensenada, Mexico. The estimated value of the contraband cigarettes is $59,920, and they will be destroyed. U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized nearly 750 cartons of illegally imported cigarettes from two cruise passengers in Long Beach, California. Officers found the cigarettes, including Newport 100s, Marlboro Red, Marlboro Silver and other varieties, in 10 pieces of luggage during an April 17 inspection, according to a May 14 news release. The couple had arrived from Ensenada, Mexico on a cruise. The agency did not identify the travelers or the cruise line they were sailing with. 'Large quantities of cigarettes are considered 'commercial' not personal use; therefore, an importer permit from the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is required,' CBP said in the release. 'In addition, tobacco product labels must meet FDA standards, such as including nicotine warnings and accurate product descriptions.' The two women had receipts for the cigarettes but could not show the required permits. CBP estimated the cartons – which will be destroyed under the agency's supervision – to be valued at $59,920. 'Selling illegally imported cigarettes could yield high profits for underground vendors due to the low cost of cigarettes when purchased overseas and the evasion of taxes owed upon import,' added Africa R. Bell, CBP Port Director of Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport. 'This type of scheme not only evades revenue owed to the United States but may be harmful to the American consumer.' The news comes after CBP said in late April that officers had seized close to 72 grams of heroin mixed with fentanyl from a cruise passenger arriving in Galveston, Texas. Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@
CBS News
15-05-2025
- CBS News
More than 150,000 contraband cigarettes seized from couple aboard cruise ship in Port of LA
Nearly 750 carton of contraband cigarettes were seized from a couple riding a cruise ship into the Port of Los Angeles in April. According to the U.S. Customs of Border Protection, two female passengers traveling together aboard the ship from Ensenada, Mexico, were found to be in possession of the illegal items once they disembarked at the Long Beach Cruise Ship Terminal. Upon presenting themselves for inspection, agents found 10 pieces of luggage that were full of cigarettes. "Although the travelers presented purchase receipts, they were unable to provide the appropriate permits to import such a quantity of tobacco products," said CBP's release. According to CBP, large quantities of cigarettes are considered commercial and not personal use, requiring an importer permit from the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. They also require that tobacco product labels meet FDA standards, including nicotine warnings and accurate product descriptions. "The importation of tobacco products is highly regulated from both tax and consumer safety perspectives," said a statement from Cheryl M. Davies, CBP Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles. "Travelers who intentionally disregard U.S. importation laws and regulations often pay a high price." In all, agents found 326 cartons of Newport 100's, 58 cartons of Newport regulars, 112 cartons of Marlboro Red, 43 cartons of Marlboro Silver and 210 cartons of Marlboro Gold, the release said. They estimate that the total value of the cigarettes is just under $60,000. "Selling illegally imported cigarettes could yield high profits for underground vendors due to the low cost of cigarettes when purchased overseas and the evasion of taxes owed upon import," said Africa R. Bell, CBP Port Director of Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport. "This type of scheme not only evades revenue owed to the United States but may be harmful to the American consumer. CBP officers at our nation's largest seaport complex, remain committed to enforcing our laws and to protect the American public." All of the cartons will be destroyed under supervision from CBP officials.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Couple coming to Southern California on cruise ship busted with 150,000 contraband cigarettes
Authorities arrested a couple who arrived in Southern California on a cruise ship in possession of nearly 150,000 contraband cigarettes. The 749 cartons of illegally imported cigarettes were concealed in 10 pieces of luggage being carried by the couple, who were arriving from Ensenada, Mexico, on April 17 at the Long Beach Cruise Ship Terminal, according to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection news release issued Wednesday. Santa Monica College student deported by ICE, school says The two women, who were traveling together, presented themselves for CBP inspection upon disembarking, and while they were able to show proof that they purchased the cigarettes, they were unable to show that they were permitted to import 'such a quantity' of tobacco products. When CBP agents further inspected the ten pieces of luggage, they discovered 326 cartons of Newport 100s, 58 cartons of Newport Regular, 112 cartons of Marlboro Red, 43 cartons of Marlboro Silver and 210 cartons of Marlboro Gold cigarettes. 'Based on a low-end estimate of $80 a carton in the state of California, the total value of the cigarettes is estimated to be $59,920,' the CBP news release states. Prominent Mexican band robbed of equipment at fake security checkpoint A U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tade and Trade Bureau importer permit is required to import large quantities of cigarettes – which are considered 'commercial' and not personal use – to the United States. Additionally, product labels must meet FDA standards, such as including nicotine warnings and accurate product descriptions, federal officials explained. While CBP Director of Los Angeles Field Operations Cheryl M. Davies stated in the release that 'travelers who intentionally disregard U.S. importation laws and regulations often pay a high price,' the exact punishment the two women will face was not disclosed. Neither of them were identified. 'Selling illegally imported cigarettes could yield high profits for underground vendors due to the low cost of cigarettes when purchased overseas and the evasion of taxes owed upon import,' Africa R. Bell, CBP Port Director of Los Angeles-Long Beach Seaport, said. 'This type of scheme not only evades revenue owed to the United States but may be harmful to the American consumer.' All 749 cartons were seized and will be destroyed under CBP supervision, federal officials said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
