fpaternostro,
I think the trader/gifter initially removed the cello to age the stick. Later he/she probably used whatever cello was handy to protect the stick while in transit to you.
I think the OpusX's are rolled and packaged in an entirely different part of the Fuente factory, so it's highly unlikely that it was done there.
Either way, after a year, it's a damned good smoke if you like 'em spicy and sweet.
E4A