I know some of you on here are police and/or state troopers. Question for you:

If you were to pull someone over, and they had a box of Cuban cigars in their car, would it be under your powers to arrest that person for possession of an embargoed product? Or is that left up to a higher agency.

Just curious.

I don't think they could. Police are not qualified to judge a product as an authentic Cuban Cigar. And if they were to bust you for having counterfeit cubans, it could open the door for wrongful arrest, etc.

I am not a lawyer.

interesting point.

Aren't you allowed to have a certain amount for your own smoking pleasure?

This is the wrong place to be asking that question anyway...of course these guys would confiscate 'em as contraband and go home and smoke 'em!!

LOL

^
topping for the officers...

Hub4 is right, I would sieze them and smoke em. Ha Ha
Really I don't htink but a veery few Officers could reconize them and the ones that did really would'nt care. Probably be happy for you.

Ricky

Hub4 is right, I would sieze them and smoke em. Ha Ha
Really I don't think theres but a very few Officers could reconize them and the ones that did really would'nt care. Probably be happy for you.

Ricky

Hub4 is right, I would sieze them and smoke em. Ha Ha
Really I don't think theres but a very few Officers could reconize them and the ones that did really would'nt care. Probably be happy for you.

Ricky

Hub4 is right, I would sieze them and smoke em. Ha Ha
Really I don't think theres but a very few Officers could reconize them and the ones that did really would'nt care. Probably be happy for you.

Ricky

Contraband is anything that the mere possession of it, is illegal.

If the officer recognized the box as cuban cigars, I would think he could legally detain you whilst he called up US Customs. I would also think like k9cop... they wouldn't really give a crap.

I think ryan has his dope hidden inside a box of cubans

On some states, EX: Ohio, Not only can an officer confiscate the contraband and detain or arrest the driver of the vehicle transporting the contraband, but the vehicle can and will probably be forfieted to that agency for use or sale.

Here's the quote:

"The Ohio Legislator, by enactment of Senate Bill No. 69 - The Contraband Seizure and Forfeiture Act, has created a civil process whereby police agencies can significantly increase their vehicle, equipment, and cash assets. Any, personal property used or intended for use in the attempt, conspiracy, or commission of any offense can be seized and forfeited to the seizing agency for their use or sale. Funds obtained by the sale of such property are for law enforcement use only."

I know this would apply in the case of illegal drugs, or weapons, or other illigal activities but having a box of Cuban smokes would be hard to prove unless it was clearly marked. I'd just say they were Dominican. Only a real cigar afficianado could tell the difference. And if you find a Cop who loves cigars, he'd probably let you go. You'd have to give up a few stogies, but hey... we're all human.

Heck ...

It's illegal to buy, sell, trade or otherwise engage in transactions involving Cuban cigars in the United States ... period.

Why would carrying them around in your car make you feel any more paranoid?

With all the obvious 'trading', 'gifting' and 'bragging' going on here ... if they wanted to, they could find you easily enough ... 😉

Slim has spoken! Take heed infidels!

LOL

Charlie

hup4 ... you might want to read this:

http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/sanctions/ccigar2.pdf 

As the law now states, since August 2004 ... you can't even take $100 worth of Cuban goods (back from a visit to Cuba), even if you are licenced under the regulation.

What is really interesting ... is that US citizens cannot even buy Cuban goods in a 'third' country for use ***outside*** the United States.

What's the matter Charlie ... did I say something that upset you?

I'm not saying not to do what you feel like doing, just stating the obvious, I guess.

I guess the point I was trying to make ... is I don't think it's a 'high priority' crime ... unless you are importing a huge amount.

I work with many police officers. At least here in Vegas they wouldn't do a thing. Most cops would not want to take the time for such a small thing. I have had obvious illegal alien patients where metro simply stated to me when I asked if they were going to do anything about it that it is not worth the extra time and aggravation to get immigration involved. So I would think that they wouldn't care about a box of gars.

lance

Slim,
Thanks for the info! I don't think I would risk
the penalties for having cubans...I'm not savy
enough to tell the difference anyway! LOL

P.S. Does that include Cuban girls too?

hey ryan, let me give my two cents in. being a state trp. for 13yrs. now, and working on the drug interdiction team/yrs. with the dea and customs. honestly agreeing with k9 i don't think you're going to find to many guys that would sweat you. 1.not a lot of them are going to know if they are real or not. 2 if they are unless you have a semi load their not going to burden the customs to come out to inspect whether their real or not. i've made several trips outta of the country lately and customs have told me on each of the boarder you're allowed 2 bring 5 cuban cigars back with you no questions asked. i am getting ready to go out of country again and probably will bring my smokes home with me as usual! there are bigger fish to fry than a guy caring a box of cuban cigars(now if they were filled with weed inside of them you may have a different problem)LOL!!!!
also while i was in new england a couple weeks ago for the colts game a cuban gentleman sat down next to me and had a box of romeo churchman's(cuban)yummy! he told me that he was allowed to go back home 2 a yr. and bring home 6 boxes with him,(tho he said they send more). That was Per are Pres. bush.

anyway i don't think you have a problem with having your smokes!!!!! ENJOY....

just put a dozen doughnuts next to the cigars and he wont notice