cigars being sold in Bermuda.

And the Communist revolutionary would probably see even redder at news several Bermuda-bound cigar shipments had disappeared.

Now two Bermudian cigar businesses have appealed for public help in smoking out the culprits.

An advertisement from Tobacco Associates and Pitt & Company will run in Tuesday's Royal Gazette .

It warns: "We strongly urge anyone who is offered purported Cuban cigars by an unauthorised person to call the Police as they may possibly find they are being asked to handle either stolen or counterfeit merchandise.'' The ad says the Cuban authorities had raised the alarm, suspecting fake cigars were being sold in Bermuda as genuine Havanas.

"In addition, several shipments of Cuban cigars have disappeared during transshipment to Bermuda.'' Yesterday, Tobacco Associates president Edgar Wilkinson said he had no direct evidence fake cigars were on sale.

But he added: "I have been told some cigars were offered to people in restaurants.'' In Bermuda, Havana cigars range enormously in price -- from $10 to $100.

Mr. Wilkinson, who has been in his wholesalers business 27 years, said cigars were flown to Bermuda from Havana, via Canada.

One missing shipment was expected here a fortnight ago -- the other was due in about seven weeks before that, he added.

"I don't know when the shipments disappeared. They could have been stolen in Bermuda or Canada, but I don't really want to speculate.

"These airline warehouses where stock is stored are absolutely huge. For instance, 11 percent in value of all imports to America come through Kennedy Airport.

"That gives you an idea of the volume of stock these warehouses can hold.'' Mr. Wilkinson believed the missing shipments contained up to 5,000 cigars.

"Cuban cigars are terribly popular and I would think most of the sales go to visitors.

"It is illegal to take them back to United States because of the sanctions against Cuba and we have a sign telling customers this.

"Of course, it is perfectly legal to have them in Bermuda.'' Mr. Wilkinson added, with a laugh: "As far as counterfeits are concerned, they are all over the world now. And I suppose it would be perfectly legal to take them to America! "It seems, though, the Cuban authorities are trying to protect their franchise and our marketing people in Cuba have notified us about the counterfeits. The local Police have been notified, too.'' Smokers warned about counterfeit cigars General manager of distributors Pitt & Company, Ken Hockenhull, told The Royal Gazette he understood two customers were approached at their Hamilton outlets by people offering suspect Cuban cigars.

"I don't want to go into detail but two genuine resale customers were approached in person.

"Clearly the customers were suspicious and notified us or the other distributors.'' Mr. Hockenhull said two shipments destined for his company -- containing perhaps about 4,000 cigars -- had gone missing.

"So far, investigations have not been able to establish the point of misappropriation of the shipments.

"We are currently investigating through the normal channels -- our insurers and the shippers. We receive shipments on a monthly basis.'' He added: "The Cuban authorities are carrying out their own inquiries.'' Mr. Hockenhull said Pitt & Company's marketing representatives in Cuba, Cuba Tobac, had raised the alarm over the cigars.

Pitt & Marketing have two outlets -- in Front Street and Dockyard.

"Cuban cigars are a popular trend in Bermuda. They sell fairly well,'' said Mr. Hockenhull.

Police spokesman P.c. Gary Venning said: "We are aware cigars have gone missing and we will do whatever we can to assist.''