I knew Santa Cruz had a sizable population of German heritage, but there’s something bizarre about speaking German with a tanned taxi driver while zipping past palm trees in balmy 32-degrees-Celsius (90 degrees F) weather Read More
While Paraguay obviously has the manufacturing capacity, it is not a major leaf-producing country. Where does it obtain its tobacco, and are leaf producers in a position to help curtail the illegal cigarette trade? To Read More
If you are looking for a bargain, Rio’s Centro Uruguaiana is the place to be. Normally expensive brand-name sneakers, faux designer purses and wristwatches sell at rock-bottom prices—as do cigarettes. Telling fake from Read More
The insignia thief must have turned himself in, because we’re allowed off the plane. But while the flight attendant has her decorations back, we’re without luggage. It’s still in Miami, where we Read More
We haven’t even landed in Latin America yet, and we’re already being threatened with detention—not for investigating the counterfeit cigarette trade, but for theft. As the plane descends, a terse flight attendant Read More
“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.” The leaf merchant was not impressed with our suggestion to track down a cigarette counterfeiter in Paraguay and interview him for an upcoming article in Tobacco Read More