The Cuban counterfeit industry has apparently been in full scale production. Here's a reprint of an article that appeared on the Cubanet.org web page, just a few days ago.

May 28, 2004 FROM CUBA

More than 11,000 boxes of counterfeit cigars confiscated

HAVANA. Ana Leonor Díaz, Grupo Decoro - National police and Customs inspectors say they have confiscated 11,935 boxes of counterfeit cigars and closed more than 150 underground factories in a series of raids.

The cigars, bearing the most prestigious brands the Cuban government sells, as a source of foreign exchange, sell at lower prices in the black market, primarily to tourists.

Experts say their quality is indistinguishable from that of the officially approved product.

Customs agents reported they had confiscated hundreds of boxes from visitors leaving Cuba from the Havana and Varadero airports.

In a series of raids in three Havana municipalities, police found more than 150 factories where the cigars were made, packed in cedar boxes and fitted with the rings that would presumably attest to their authenticity.

Tobacco industry authorities adopted a holographic seal years ago that was supposedly tamper-proof. During the past two years, they have uncovered evidence of a parallel, clandestine industry engaged in the sale and export of cigars that they have not been able to eradicate.

Versión original en español (This is translated from the original Spanish)

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If they are hand rolled in Cuba and made with Cuban tobacco, are they counterfeits? I wonder if this is just Castro trying to hoard profits into the state government. Remember when Russia went through the same thing. Everyone stole from the government (bribes, etc...) to make a buck. Do I really care if the product comes from an individual or the "official channels"? Just a thought!

"Experts say their quality is indistinguishable from that of the officially approved product."

If the quality is indistinguishable... what's all the hubub about? 😉

The money goes to the counterfeiters and not the government.

lol - I was thinking the same thing - but seriously - from what I've heard - there's no proof of a sudden surge in counterfeits (although it would make since with SA raising prices 30%) - but there has been a serious increase in cracking down on the counterfeiters - that's why there is an increase in confiscations - as always, let your palate be your guide...

Given the statement, that the quality is indistinguishable, does not mean that the individual counterfeit cigar tastes like its legitimate counterpart. If you specifically buy a box of RASS, you'd like to know that the cigars don't taste like RyJ even if the quality of the cigar is impeccable.

I think the government statement regarding quality refers more to the outward appearance of the rolled cigars, boxes, bands, and seals, than the taste of the cigars.

If you take a turd, put a Montecristo band on it and say the quality is indistinguishable from the original, it is still a turd.

J

I think what they are getting at, is the cigars are being made in Cuba, with local tobacco. Might even be from then same fields and curing barns. Just a little black market attempt to make some money above what Castro allows.

Same thing goes on with sweat shops where they make designer clothes and accessories. Same material, same labels, same craftsmanship. Just make some extra product after hours, cut out the manufacturer's profit and sell for pennies on the dollar. Big bucks in black market goods.

Anyone got a link for these?

I can (but don't) get these all day long, they are not the same quality. If you are buying boxes from a "friend" for under 200 bucks, guess what, you have a source too.

It is said that the Cuban counterfeiterss take great pride in their work. I consider it my patriotic duty to smoke counterfeit Cubans made in Cuba whenever possible, and I am not so sure it isn't ALWAYS possible.