Biggest-ever Seizure of Fake Electronic Cigarettes Reported in Orava Area

Novot, April 30 (TASR) - Financial administration officers discovered more than 23,000 counterfeit electronic cigarettes in the village of Novot in the Orava area (Zilina region) after a van heading to Poland was pulled over, Zilina Customs Office spokesperson Bozena Chribikova told TASR on Tuesday, adding that this is the biggest seizure of this kind reported in Slovakia so far. The driver, a Chinese national, was unable to provide any information about the goods or any documents about their acquisition. Financial administration officers halted the van heading to Poland as part of a random transport-vehicle check. Upon request, the driver opened the luggage compartment, where a large number of boxes were located. "At first sight they seemed to be filled only with artificial flowers. However, a more detailed check of the luggage compartment revealed that there were also electronic cigarettes marked with a trademark present in some boxes, which showed signs of being fake," said Chribikova, adding that the total number of these cigarettes reached 23,250. Chribikova said that the driver claimed not to know who the owner of the goods was or for whom they were intended. He only said he was supposed to take them to Warsaw. "Financial administration officers asked the trademark holder to confirm or reject the authenticity of the trademark. After it was confirmed that they were fake products, electronic cigarettes with various flavours were seized," she said. The damage that would be have been caused to the trademark holder if the products had been sold on the market was quantified at €268,420. However, the possible harm to the health of potential users of fake cigarettes is incalculable, said Cibikova. ko/df