Inspector's illegal career stubbed out

By Angela Xu  |   2008-6-18  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

A LOCAL tobacco inspector has been sentenced to two years in prison for selling fake cigarettes and giving secret inspection information to his partner in crime.

Huang Chunhai, 26, is the city's first tobacco inspector to be jailed for selling fake cigarettes.

He made 86,000 yuan (US$12,464) by selling fake Chunghwa, Panda, Double Happiness, Liqun and Yuxi brands from 2004 to 2007.

While investigating his case, the police uncovered a gang that allegedly has sold more than 4 million yuan worth of fake cigarettes in a number of districts. Three wholesalers have been detained, judges of the Jing'an District People's Court said.

Huang told judges that many acquaintances had asked him to help buy cheap Chunghwa cigarettes but he wasn't able to do so. Then, at the instigation of a tobacco store owner surnamed Cai, he came up with the idea of selling fake cigarettes to them. At the time, he needed money to cover gambling debts and other expenses.

Cai, who was sentenced to one year in prison for selling fakes, told Huang that nobody would suspect him of selling fake cigarettes because of his job.

Most of the victims were Huang's relatives and friends.

In November 2004, Huang's former classmate, surnamed Mao, asked him to help buy some Chunghwa cigarettes for her wedding ceremony. Huang told her to buy the cigarettes at 340 yuan for 20 packs in Cai's store. The market price of genuine cigarettes was about 500 yuan for 20 packs while the fakes cost 120 yuan for 20 packs. Huang and Cai split the proceeds.

Other victims included the father of Huang's girlfriend, and his night school classmate.

In addition to the illegal sales, Huang also informed Cai of the timing of tobacco monopoly administration inspections so he could hide the fakes beforehand.

After receiving tip-offs, the district administration arrested Huang and caught Cai selling fake cigarettes.

"I know I am guilty and would like to return all the illegal income. Now I'm extremely regretful," Huang told the court.