Source: The State of Maranhão - 17/10/2010

An operation carried out over this week in the São Luís Metropolitan Region resulted in the seizure of 23 wallets of counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes. The cargo, according to the Civil Police, was sold illegally in a small trade called Comercial Rouba Pequeno, located in the João Paulo neighborhood.

“We took steps and inspected several commercial establishments in the municipalities of São José de Ribamar and Paço do Lumiar. Today (yesterday), we had information that Comercial Rouba Pequeno, near João Paulo's Fair, was selling imported cigarettes. The product had no invoice ”, explained Chief Breno Galdino, from the State Superintendence of Criminal Investigations (Seic).

At the apprehension site, on Avenida Projetada, a woman identified as Lídia de Sena, 51, born in Coroatá, was summoned to appear on Monday, 18, at the headquarters of Seic, to provide clarification on the purchase of the product. As explained by Galdino, two of the three brands collected have prohibited sales in Brazil.

“Derby, US and TC were found. In the first, the product was falsified. The next two are smuggled and, therefore, are forbidden to sell in the country. In all, 24 boxes of cigarettes were seized ”, informed the Seic delegate who, until the closing of this edition, continued to inspect other commercial points in the capital.