These lawsuits are part of the company's ongoing efforts to stop the sale of counterfeit [image-nocss] cigarettes and the unauthorized use of PM USA's trademarks.
PM USA said it believes that counterfeit cigarette traffickers have established a foothold in the Los Angeles area, and that today Los Angeles is one of the top two markets for counterfeit cigarette activity in the United States. The actions and lawsuits are the culmination of a several month investigation involving the Los Angeles County Sheriff's office and other law enforcement agencies to address the sale of counterfeit Marlboro cigarettes in the Los Angeles area.
These actions led to 10 arrests and the seizure of more than 9,200 packs of counterfeit Marlboro cigarettes.
"The sale of counterfeit cigarettes defrauds adult smokers who believe they are buying genuine Marlboro cigarettes, resulting in significant lost revenue for the state, and is often driven by organized crime syndicates," said Joe Murillo, vice president and associate general counsel, Altria Client Services speaking on behalf of PM USA.
He added, "The sale of counterfeit Marlboro cigarettes to U.S. consumers through China-based websites is an emerging problem. Selling counterfeit cigarettes is illegal, and we will continue to evolve our approach to take appropriate action to protect our brands."
Since 2002, PM USA has sued more than 2,800 retailers in California for selling counterfeit PM USA-branded cigarettes, in addition to seven websites.
The entities named in the lawsuits filed in the Central District of California are:
Websites Webvipshopping.com, Ren Kun Fang (owner/operator). usa001.com, Ren Kun Fang (owner/operator). Marlborocigarettesonline.com, Kenny Li (owner/operator), John Doe Walker (importer/distributor). Cheap-marlborocigarettes.com, Kenny Li (owner/operator). Chinacigarette.com, Andy Gong (owner/operator), Ma Fei (importer/distributor). Okcig.com, Li Ning (owner/operator), Yan Liang (importer/distributor). Cigarettesonshop.com, Unknown.
Retailers Bran Tools New & Used, Los Angeles. Marcela Mini Market, Los Angeles. Quick Quick Mini Market, Panorama City, Calif. El Paraiso Party Supply, Compton, Calif. San Miguel Meat Market/Carniceria, Los Angeles. S.J. Del Rio, Los Angeles. Tacos Vallarta/Tacos Don Beto, Los Angeles. Zafiros Mini Market, Los Angeles.
Richmond, Va.-based Philip Morris USA is an operating company of Altria Group Inc.
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