ATF "Lost Track" Of 420 Million Cigarettes, Watchdog Says
The Justice Department's internal watchdog says the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives mounted dozens of undercover investigations into illicit cigarette sales without proper approval. It says the agency misused some of $162 million in profits from the stings - including overpaying an informant by millions of dollars - and lost track of at least 420 million cigarettes.
The ATF's new director, B. Todd Jones, said the audit covered only selected ATF investigations between 2006 and 2011, and that the agency had tightened its internal guidelines since then.
The report cited a widespread lack of ATF oversight in the agency's use of "churning investigations," undercover operations using proceeds from illicit cigarette sales to pay for ATF expenses. More
An evidence room in a police building is like a savings account for the cops....a little low on cash? No problem. Steal/substitute a kilo of cocaine, snatch a couple of weapons, or take a bagful of cigarettes...viola! Easy money....
Wonder how many of these agents retired after this case in real nice homes / cars and more????
ReplyDeleteThey were smoked. Duh
ReplyDeleteSo what is the difference between the government making profits on cigs and any other person making profits from cigs?
ReplyDeleteOh, that's right. It's the government doing it so it's ok.
Can't even keep track of cigarettes but they "keep" track of guns...
ReplyDeleteAn evidence room in a police building is like a savings account for the cops....a little low on cash? No problem. Steal/substitute a kilo of cocaine, snatch a couple of weapons, or take a bagful of cigarettes...viola! Easy money....
ReplyDelete