Field Enforcement Division agents seize 2,800 packs and vehicle
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Comptroller Peter Franchot has announced that agents from his Field Enforcement Division (FED) have arrested a New York man who has been charged in Maryland as a result of a surveillance operation on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
“My FED agents’ vigilance protects Maryland businesses and taxpayers from those who try to cheat the system with their illegal activities in transporting tobacco products through our state,” Comptroller Peter Franchot said. “I am very proud of their dedicated service and steadfast ability to identify these criminals.”
During the surveillance operation on Thursday, August 23, Nasser Manssour, 55, of Brooklyn, NY, driving a 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV with New Jersey tags, was observed concealing cigarettes in the rear of the vehicle at a discount cigarette retail store on the Lower Shore area of Virginia. Agents said he then drove north on U.S. Route 13 into Maryland and was stopped at U.S. Route 13 and Sheep House Road in Pocomoke, Worcester County.
Agents searched the vehicle and found 2,820 packs of contraband cigarettes, with a value of $18,189 and representing a tax loss to the State of $5,640. The contraband cigarettes and vehicle were seized and Manssour was placed under arrest.
Manssour was taken before a Worcester County District Court Commissioner in Snow Hill and charged with a felony count of transporting contraband cigarettes and a misdemeanor count of possession of contraband cigarettes.
A preliminary hearing has been set for September 14 at Worcester County District Court. Manssour was released on his own recognizance.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
9 comments:
Maryland didn't lose any tax revenue. This guy was on his way to NY, not stopping in MD for a sale.
Based on this premise, if I but my groceries in Delaware but live in Maryland, I deprived Maryland of the taxes...on a much smaller scale, but same idea...however, it is a known fact that cigarette transporting across state lines to buy cheap in NC or VA then take elsewhere (usually NY)is often a way to make a crap ton of $ and funnel the money to various terrorist based organizations.
3:51. Thank you. I've said the same before. There was only 'potential' loss of tax revenue if he sold them in Maryland. But who does that, when you can get double in NYC? Maryland is just the drive through state, and Franchot is stealing tax revenues from NY.
That's who should be pissed- the FED in NY.
AND Because your not that smart..These people are taking the money made off the ciggs and funneling the money to support terrorist and other crime orginaz.
" Anonymous said...
Maryland didn't lose any tax revenue. This guy was on his way to NY, not stopping in MD for a sale.
August 29, 2018 at 3:51 AM"
franchot is a democrat so that means just like ALL democrats he is a liar and lies about everything. The problem is the democrat voters are so stupid they can't figure out what a waste of money this is. and the ones who can figure it out just like all democrats are liars and will lie about it!
5:29- It's you're not that smart. Maybe learn English before trying to insult people and troll message boards.
I would like to know what actually happens to the confiscated cigarettes. Also if Mr. Franchot feels so strongly about this crime....how does the accused get released on his personal recognizance?
What are these FED agents actually costing the tax payers and is it really money well spent.
As others have said.....these cigarettes were not going to be sold in Maryland.
5:13 am
You hit the nail on the head. Worked with tobacco law enforcement and compliance for over 20 years. The contraband is taken most of the time to NYC and then distributed in the trunks of cars to foreign owned stores. We called them " trunk slammers ". Most of the cases I was a part revealed that cash was being funnelled to Hamas.
Those foreign businessmen think they are so smart. The ones in Snow Hill were sent away (jailed) for collecting sales taxes at their convenience stores, but not turning them over to the state. They think Americans are stupid and they don't even try to obey our laws. The ones in NY think the easy money is to drive straight down from NY, through the high cigarette tax states of NJ & MD, and stop at the first Virginia cigarette outlet across the line and drive back. Those third world idiots can't figure out how they are busted 3 miles after they load up their car and drive back across the MD border. They are some of the dumbest (and corrupt) humans on the planet.
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