Hundreds of boxes of cigars were confiscated n a series of raids carried out in a dozen gift shops in Boca Chica and Santo Domingo?s Colonial Zone yesterday by tax agents in collaboration with police. The shops were allegedly selling locally made cigars in boxes marked ?Romeo & Juliet,? ?Monte Cristo,? and ?Arturo Fuente,? well-known Cuban brands. The raids were conducted following complaints from the brands? owners and local concessionaires. Shop owners were cited for violation of the DR?s new Law 165-00, ?Concerning Intellectual Property,? and ordered to present themselves to the District Attorney?s office for questioning. Violation of the intellectual property law carries jail sentences of between three months and three years and fines of between DR$100 and DR$10,000.
