Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., February 12, 2009 Shvat 18, 5769 | | Israel Time: 02:08 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File

Taxmen smoke out cigarette counterfeiters By Fadi Eyadat Customs officials this week uncovered a gang suspected of manufacturing counterfeit cigarettes in the Kanot Industrial Zone near Gedera. The gang, whose members come from the center of the country, are suspected of manufacturing and selling millions of shekels worth of counterfeit cigarettes. The Haifa Magistrate's Court extended the remand of three of the suspects for four days. The gang was uncovered by the tax authorities and Haifa's customs investigation department after an investigation lasting several months. Advertisement On Sunday the customs people raided the plant and discovered a production line for making counterfeit cigarettes; brands that were copied included Marlboro, Kent and Parliament. Machinery for producing and packaging was found along with large quantities of raw materials and hundreds of thousands of packs of cigarettes. The customs people also raided warehouses belonging to the gang. The major suspects in the group are Arkady Haimov of Azor, Alkoby Haim of Givatayim and Mizrahi Yehuda of Tel Aviv. Two other suspects, Abayev Bechor of Tel Aviv and Igor Mosheyev of Holon, were arrested and released under restrictions. The gang members are suspected of tax violations and of causing millions of shekels worth of damage to the state. In addition to the machinery and fictitious receipt books that served as bookkeeping cover, the tax authorities found plates for forging labels on cigarette packs. They also found that the plant was allegedly owned by a man who served as a front. The customs people estimate that every week 100 crates containing 50 cartons of cigarettes each were produced at the plant. The investigators say the trucks bringing raw materials to the factory would drive away with the merchandise and take it to market. Haifa's tax and customs authorities believe that further people were involved in the ring, so more arrests are expected. Bookmark to del.icio.us   How Israel voted See Israel election results by city/sector. Israeli cover girls Israeli model Bar Refaeli lands Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover.

Read & React With 99 percent of votes counted, Kadima leads Likud 28 to 27 seats Responses: 124 Success of rightist bloc may propel Netanyahu into PM's chair Responses: 111 Aluf Benn: For the sake of peace, Labor and Kadima must merge Responses: 92 Bradley Burston: Will Livni, Netanyahu settle for rotation, sharing premiership? Responses: 45 Poll: 31% of Europeans blame Jews for global financial crisis Responses: 59 More Headlines 00:19 White House: Unclear how Israel elections will affect Mideast peace 00:47 OPINION / In the election, the left got what it deserved 21:07 HOW THEY VOTED: See Israel election results by city/sector 00:08 Wooed by Kadima and Likud, Lieberman agrees to more talks with Livni 00:09 Netanyahu meets Lieberman in bid to feel out coalition deal 00:53 Pro-Palestinian Bronx Expressway banner - a Jewish initiative 20:08 Europeans fearful over rise of right wing in Israeli elections 16:39 ISRAEL ELECTION IN PICTURES / After the vote 00:20 Sarkozy: I want Obama to engage in Iran talks with `spirit of firmness` 18:17 Iran charges 7 members of Baha'i faith with spying for Israel 19:59 Hamas: Zionist voters have elected a 'troika of terrorism' 14:25 Likud officials reject rotating coalition power with Kadima 13:58 ANALYSIS / Israel's new PM must stop the economic crisis before it burgeons 19:32 Gaza mortar shells strike western Negev; no casualties 21:15 Akiva Eldar / Why did Meretz fare so poorly in the elections? 01:48 Woman bleeds to death in Haifa hospital, a day after giving birth Previous Editions Select Day 11 feb 10 feb 09 feb 08 feb 06 feb 05 feb 04 feb 03 feb 02 feb 01 feb 30 jan 29 jan

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