Cigarette smuggling is big business in the border between Costa Rica and Panama

The anti-tobacco legislation applied in Panama last year, which increased the price of cigarettes, had led to an increase in smuggling of tobacco products from Costa Rica.

The president of the Costa Rican restaurant industry says the situation has led his group to file charges with the Health and Security ministries.

A pack of cigarettes that costs $1.50 in Costa Rica can be sold for $5 in Panama.

Original source: Inside Costa Rica