New shipping regulations put in place by the Department of Homeland Security led to the seizure of 30,000 Cuban cigars at O’Hare International Airport, which were flown in from Switzerland, U.S. Customs officials said Monday. Chicago Customs and Border Protection officers have been “under siege” over the past two weeks as Swiss companies are now forced to ship packages on cargo planes rather than passenger jets, officials said. Seventy ... Jump to full article >>

Cuba seeks to pitch famous cigars beyond male base With anti-smoking laws and the global recession causing sales to fall, Cuba wants to develop a largely untapped market for its famous cigars — women. Habanos S.A. executives said on Monday sales fell 8 percent to $360 million in 2009, so they have created the Julieta, a smaller, milder version of the Romeo y Julieta cigar, aimed specifically at female smokers. Women now make up only 5 to 1 ... Jump to full article >>

MIAMI – Lauro Perez, 66, of Miami, was convicted today on charges of conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit cigars and seven counts of trafficking in counterfeit cigars, in violation of Title 18, U. S. Code, Sections 371 and 2320(a). (Media-Newswire.com) – MIAMI – Lauro Perez, 66, of Miami, was convicted today on charges of conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit cigars and seven counts of trafficking in counterfeit cigars, in viola ... Jump to full article >>