On Monday, the Intellectual Property Unit of the Counter Terrorism and Organized Crime (CTOC) Branch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, in collaboration with Caribbean Cement Company Limited (CCCL), destroyed 624 cases of counterfeit cigarettes valued at an estimated JM$400 million.
The cigarettes were safely incinerated in the cement kiln under CTOC’s supervision, serving as a refuse-derived fuel alternative to fossil fuels in the cement-making process.
Mr. Jorge Martinez, Managing Director of CCCL, highlighted the dual benefits of this initiative: enhancing environmental sustainability and combating counterfeit products.
“Through our Future in Action program to reduce CO2 emissions, we are actively looking for alternative sources of fuel. Refuse-derived fuel such as these cigarettes offer that potential,” he said.
Deputy Superintendent Victor Barrett, Head of CTOC’s Intellectual Property Unit, praised CCCL for their collaboration. “It’s a signal that they are displaying great corporate citizenship. It’s a move that we welcome and could not do without this collaboration and partnership. This event is a success, and we could not have done it without the partnership of our corporate citizen, Cemex,” he said.
“I want to stress that the criminals have formed alliances and as a consequence, we in law enforcement must form partnerships of our own, or else we will be isolated and weak,” Mr. Barrett continued.
And for his part, Franklin Murillo, the Managing Director of Carreras Limited, underscored the detrimental impact of counterfeit cigarettes on the business environment, government revenue, consumers, and youth.
“This matter needs to remain the focus of law enforcement and other such agencies to ensure that consumers are protected, and government revenue secured. We will continue to play our part to ensure that this remains at the forefront,” he said.
Mr. Murillo commended Deputy Superintendent Barrett and the Jamaica Customs Agency for their hard work in securing the counterfeit goods.
