From: The Costa Rica Star
SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, Oct. 19 — A recent study paints a panoramic picture of a surging global trade in illicit cigarettes that is funding groups from Hezbollah and Hamas to the Central American Los Zetas cartel.
The study, “From Ant Smuggling to an Elephant in the Market,” was conducted by CID Gallup for the Costa Rican-American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham). It involved an analysis of more than 20 studies from the past 4 years, and shows an alarming increase in the contraband cigarette trade and how these illegal profits are used to support organized crime and fuel terrorism.
