Marlboro-maker smokes out counterfeiters

Marlboro-maker smokes out counterfeiters While he may be outdoorsy, rugged and independent, the Marlboro Man evidently has a serious legal team and he is not afraid to use it.
   Cigarette-maker Philip Morris USA has filed a pair of federal lawsuits charging two importers with bringing counterfeit Marlboro cigarettes into the United States for illegal distribution.
   Filed Tuesday in Los Angeles federal court, the lawsuits name Sorensen Lighted Controls of Hartford, Conn., and Damakali S.A. de CV of Queretaro, Mexico.
   The lawsuits were prompted by recent seizures of the counterfeit cigarettes at the Port of Los Angeles. In January, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents seized a shipment of more than 47,000 cartons of fake Marlboros at the port. According to the Philip Morris filings, the shipment invoice listed Sorensen, a manufacturer of indicator lights, as the importer. Paperwork for a shipment of more than 28,000 cartons of counterfeit Marlboros seized at the Los Angeles port in December listed Damakali as the importer, according to the filings.
   The lawsuits ask the court to bar Sorenson and Damakali from 'purchasing, importing, distributing or selling counterfeit Marlboro cigarettes.'
   Philip Morris is also asking for the court to make the two importers turn over any profits from the illegal cigarettes and award the cigarette maker unspecified punitive damages and attorney’s fees.
   According to Philip Morris, Marlboro cigarettes are a frequent target for counterfeiters and increasing state and federal taxes on each pack are making the counterfeiting more lucrative for criminals. The cigarette manufacturer said the suits are two of 30 such legal actions taken against alleged counterfeit importers over the past four years in California, Florida, New York and Texas.
   Officials for Damakali and Sorensen could not be reached for comment.