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Home > What's New > Fake Padróns Seized In New York
Posted September 5, 2000, 5:45 p.m. e.s.t.
New York City police arrested a man on Thursday suspected of selling counterfeit Padrón cigars. Officers seized 200 boxes of Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series cigars in what they described as the first seizure of counterfeit cigars in New York City.
In an undercover investigation dubbed "Operation Imperial," NYPD detectives made contact with the suspect -- whose name has not been released -- and attempted to buy 200 boxes of Padrón's rarest cigars, its 1964 Anniversary Series Exclusivos, Diplomaticos and Imperials. The two-and-a-half week investigation culminated in an August 31st meeting in lower Manhattan as detectives paid $60,000 for the fake cigars. As the deal was being closed, police made the arrest.
The seizure and arrest were made public on Friday afternoon at a hastily organized press conference at One Police Plaza.
"This is the first confiscation of counterfeit cigars in this city," said Lt. Robert Groth of the fraud squad, who led the conference. On display in front of him were the 200 seized boxes of counterfeit cigars. While the cigars inside appeared to be crude fakes of real Padróns, the boxes were of high quality. Some were even stamped "Honduras," while others were stamped "Nicaragua," for the two countries where Padrón makes its cigars.
Officials were light on details. They described the investigation as "ongoing," and didn't want to release too much information about the operation. They said the seizure took place on the outskirts of Chinatown. While Groth said the suspect represented himself as a retailer, he said the raid did not take place in a cigar store. The source country of the cigars at this point remains unknown.
A grateful Jorge L. Padrón, president of Padrón Cigars Inc., flew into New York City late Thursday night after the raid. Padrón, who had worked with the detectives throughout the investigation, praised the New York City police force and the district attorney's office for their swift work.
The problem with counterfeit Padróns, particularly Padrón Anniversaries, has plagued the Padrón family for years. (See related stories, below.)
"We've had counterfeit Torpedos, Diplomaticos, Exclusivos and Imperials," said Padrón. "They've been sold through retail stores, as well as through Internet Web sites and also Internet auction sites."
Padrón was uncertain why counterfeiters seem to target his maduro cigars. One possible explanation is that Padrón charges a premium for maduros, making them more lucrative counterfeit targets.
The company will soon include anticounterfeiting measures in its packaging to combat criminals. It already has modified its cigar band to include the signature of founder Jose O. Padrón on the back of the band, and as of mid-August it began including the word "Padron" on the hinges of its boxes. (The word on the hinges does not have an accent over the "O.") Padrón said that other changes would follow. He declined to elaborate.
Padrón said that some fake cigars from the apprehended source could have ended up in Manhattan stores.
"There are still a lot of fake cigars in circulation," said Padrón. "We're taking every possible step to fight this."
Padrón said that consumers who felt they had purchased fake Padróns should contact his company directly at (800) 453-5635, or by fax at (305) 643-2138.
--David Savona
Related Items:
Posted March 13, 2000
Padrón Vs. Counterfeiters, Round II
Posted January 31, 2000
Fake Padróns Seized in L.A.
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