NEW: British American Tobacco has oversupplied Mali with cigarettes for years, knowing their product falls into the hands of traffickers, jihadists, and armed militias.
Our #BigTobacco investigation with @CENOZO_Afrique. 1/
occrp.org/en/loosetobacc…
Our #BigTobacco investigation with @CENOZO_Afrique. 1/
occrp.org/en/loosetobacc…
@CENOZO_Afrique How The Illicit Trade Works:
•BAT oversupplies Mali with cigarette packs with "clean labels," meaning they can be sold widely, including in Europe.
•They are smuggled north through militia-controlled regions
•Insurgents and jihadists linked to IS and al-Qaida profit 2/
•BAT oversupplies Mali with cigarette packs with "clean labels," meaning they can be sold widely, including in Europe.
•They are smuggled north through militia-controlled regions
•Insurgents and jihadists linked to IS and al-Qaida profit 2/
@CENOZO_Afrique Islamists, militias, and corrupt officials work together to smuggle BAT’s cigarettes — mainly the Dunhill brand — through Mali’s lawless deserts, sources told OCCRP.
“Armed groups play the role of customs,” an ex-employee of a BAT distributor said. “Yes, [BAT] knows.” 3/
“Armed groups play the role of customs,” an ex-employee of a BAT distributor said. “Yes, [BAT] knows.” 3/
@CENOZO_Afrique Leaked documents show BAT also used a network of informants to track West Africa’s illicit cigarette trade — and their competitors.
One expert described what they show as “corporate espionage stuff.” 4/
One expert described what they show as “corporate espionage stuff.” 4/
@CENOZO_Afrique This map from a BAT document shows distribution points for its cigarettes in Mali, including in rebel-controlled regions.
Just above, it says: “As we know, in a dark market, the war is won on the battlefield with no pity for our competitors.” 5/
Just above, it says: “As we know, in a dark market, the war is won on the battlefield with no pity for our competitors.” 5/
@CENOZO_Afrique A 2007 PowerPoint presentation outlined BAT’s battle plan to win the “crown jewels” of Mali and Ghana.
It included fighting Imperial Tobacco “to the death” and preparing for a Philip Morris (PMI) “attack.” 6/
It included fighting Imperial Tobacco “to the death” and preparing for a Philip Morris (PMI) “attack.” 6/
@CENOZO_Afrique The other illicit cigarettes that dominate Mali’s smuggling routes are Marlboros coming from Burkina Faso.
Today’s second story shows Philip Morris's man there is a well-known tycoon — and tobacco smuggler — with a dangerous temper. 7/
occrp.org/en/loosetobacc…
Today’s second story shows Philip Morris's man there is a well-known tycoon — and tobacco smuggler — with a dangerous temper. 7/
occrp.org/en/loosetobacc…
@CENOZO_Afrique “This is their playground,” said economist Hana Ross of how #BigTobacco operates in West Africa.
British American Tobacco's annual turnover alone exceeds the GDPs of Mali and Burkina Faso combined. 8/
British American Tobacco's annual turnover alone exceeds the GDPs of Mali and Burkina Faso combined. 8/
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