By Timothy S. Donahue

Top Takeaways:

• Legal action: Republic Brands filed five lawsuits in New York and New Jersey alleging the sale of counterfeit e-z wider rolling papers.
• Police seizure: A New Jersey sting resulted in seizing thousands of counterfeit books and a criminal charge against a distributor’s operator.
• Enforcement warning: Republic CEO Don Levin says counterfeit sellers face potential civil liability and criminal prosecution.

Republic Brands is rolling out more lawsuits against counterfeiters.

On Oct. 8, the rolling paper manufacturer announced it had filed five new lawsuits in New York and New Jersey against convenience store operators and wholesale distributors accused of selling counterfeit e-z wider rolling papers. The company also reported a separate enforcement action by New Jersey State Police that resulted in the seizure of thousands of counterfeit booklets.

The lawsuits name convenience store operators Atlantis Management Group LLC and Atlantis Fresh Market LLC, along with wholesale suppliers Kings Cash and Carry Inc., Omega Wholesale Inc., Yemen City Plus Corp., doing business as Yemen City Plus Wholesale Cash and Carry, and United Candy and Tobacco Co. Inc.

Republic alleges that the companies sold counterfeit e-z wider papers on multiple occasions. Some of the lawsuits also name individuals the company believes directed, participated in, benefited from, or facilitated the alleged counterfeiting.

In a separate investigation involving New Jersey distributor Sunrise Wholesalers, Republic said it cooperated with the New Jersey State Police, resulting in the seizure of thousands of counterfeit rolling paper booklets and a criminal counterfeiting charge against one of the distributor’s operators.

The company did not identify the individual charged or provide further details about the criminal proceedings in its announcement.

“Our message is simple: if you sell fake Republic products, we will stop you,” said Don Levin, Republic Brands CEO. “Whether you are a distributor, wholesaler, retailer, or the individual behind the operation, Republic will use every tool available under the law to protect its brands and the public.”

Levin warned that counterfeiters could face consequences beyond civil litigation. “If you are engaged in counterfeiting, you should understand that you face not only significant civil liability, but also the possibility of criminal prosecution,” he said.

The latest actions are part of Republic’s broader campaign against counterfeit rolling papers. The company said it has filed numerous lawsuits in recent years, participated in civil and criminal seizures, and obtained judgments exceeding $1 million against multiple counterfeit sellers.

Republic, based in Glenview, Illinois, owns a portfolio of rolling paper and tobacco-related brands, including OCB, JOB, e-z wider, DRUM, Premier, Gambler, and TOP. The family-owned company operates seven manufacturing facilities across North America and Europe and distributes its products in approximately 120 countries.

The company said it intends to continue pursuing counterfeit sellers and encouraged retailers, distributors, and consumers who encounter suspected counterfeit e-z wider products to report them to Republic.

Suspected counterfeit products can be reported to counterfeit@republicbrands.com or 1-800-288-8888.