Continuing in his efforts to aggressively crackdown on cigarette smuggling tobacco tax evasion tactics, Comptroller Peter Franchot announced today that agents from his Field Enforcement Division confiscated more than 17,000 packs of the contraband cigarettes. In addition to seizing the approximately $103,000 worth of contraband cigarettes, Comptroller’s agents arrested four people in four separate cases within less than one week’s time.
“I’d like to commend my agents for their vigilance,” said Comptroller Franchot. “Each day, they travel throughout the state to enforce the state’s tax laws. We will continue to pursue and prosecute those who blatantly disregard Maryland’s tobacco laws thus protecting law-abiding businesses and keeping our communities free of contraband.”
The details of each case are as follows:
- Tuesday, October 4 (Case #1): Comptroller’s agents seized 4,950 packs of illegal cigarettes, valued at nearly $30,000, after Sergeant Michael Connor of the Maryland State Police (MSP) stopped a vehicle on Interstate 95 in Cecil County for a traffic violation. Agents arrested the driver, 30-year-old Zakaria Baloune of Woodbridge, VA. Additionally, officials confiscated a 2003 Dodge Caravan.
- Thursday, September 29 (two separate cases):
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