In the Dominican Republic last Friday, the National Tobacco Institute (INTABACO), the Attorney General’s Department, and Dominican state security institutions impounded 2,871 boxes of counterfeit cigars from tourist centers and stores in that nation.

The latest raids, part of a crack-down by Dominican authorities, netted 40,000 cigars counterfeiting famous brands that included Romeo y Julieta, Cohiba, Montecristo, Davidoff, Partagas, Gloria Cubana, Macanudo, Punch, Troya, and others. The cigars were seized in shopping centers, stores, beaches and tourist plazas in Santo Domingo, Bayahibe, Higuey and Bavaro.

Yesterday, on August 9, INTABACO incinerated 7,000 boxes of confiscated cigars, most with fake Cuban brand labels, seized in this most recent round of raids. The incineration took place in a lot next to INTABACO’s offices, located in the community Villa González, in this northern province.

INTABACO director Adalberto Rosa said that with these actions against the fake cigars, the national tobacco sector will obtain a market free from irregularities that will allow the development of healthy business practices. “These actions represent a hard blow for the cigar forgers who have affected the image of the Dominican Republic abroad,” he said.

Would that it was true and it was that easy.

More on the counterfeit cigar problem after the jump.

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From Peter Vincent at the Sydney Morning Herald:

In an era where cigarette smoking is in decline for its health effects and faces increasing social censure, there has been quiet growth in the popularity of the cigar.

The theory goes that cigars are about more than just smoking. Sure, aficionados will praise the complex taste of the world’s best cigars, which are made around the Caribbean. But it’s also about how and where you smoke them.

“For me, a cigar is not an everyday thing, it’s something I spoil myself with,” says Spiro Ellul, a Melbourne collector and cigar smoker.

“I spend up to two hours smoking one, with a nice glass of red or a port and I’ll drift off and reflect on my daily life and organise my thoughts.”

Ellul spent about $15,000 last year collecting cigars. He has about 50 boxes in storage. True aficionados leave cigars to age for at least a year in a controlled humidity of between 65 and 75 per cent.

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A special announcement from the Fuente and Newman families:

“We are pleased to announce the eighth annual Cigar Family Celebration in the Dominican Republic from February 21-25, 2006. Our annual gathering of CFC members last came to the Dominican Republic in 2004, and we are excited to return in 2006. This year the headquarters of CFC 2006 will be based at the Gran Flamenco Beach resort in Puerto Plata.

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Cigar Jack has a great review up of the AF Don Carlos #2.

Here’s a short excerpt:

The thing I love about Cameroon is how subtle it can be in revealing the flavors and spices. The Cameroon has a wonderfully sweet smell to the smoke that reminds me of toasted vanilla. I’ve also had couple comments from my wife about how she enjoyed the aroma of this cigar (trust me this is not something I normally hear).

I share his fondness for Cameroon wrappers, and while the cigar is one I haven’t reviewed here it is one that I also have enjoyed. I completely agree with what he says about it. and second his opinion. It’s a great smoke, and his review is an interesting read. Check it out.

(It also sounds like his wife and my daughter might agree on a lot of things. )