More than 1.2 million counterfeit Rizla booklets have been seized in China following an initiative led by Imperial Tobacco’s Group Security team.
The illicit products (pictured) were captured during a series of raids by the authorities in the provinces of Guangdong and Jiangxi.
“Lengthy investigations by Group Security into a number of smuggling networks targeting African and European markets played a crucial role in the success of the raids,” said a note posted on Imperial’s website.
“An initial swoop was made by the Chinese authorities on an underground packing house following weeks of surveillance.
“Subsequent raids were then made on a second packing house as well as two printing workshops and a fully stocked warehouse.”
Imperial said that counterfeit Rizla products had a serious impact on its sales, particularly in African markets such as South Africa and Senegal.