Upon return to the vehicle the Deputy asked Kong about the cigarettes in the white bag and Kong stated that he did smoke. Based upon the observations made the Deputy completed a probable cause search of the vehicle. Upon inspection of the mini-van an amount of cigarettes, determined to be 190 cartons, was located. Kong was placed under arrest for possession of unstamped cigarettes. Kong was transported to the Worcester County Sheriff`s Office where the Comptroller`s Office for the State of Maryland arrived shortly thereafter and seized the cigarettes as well as the mini-van belonging to Kong. Kong was processed and taken before the District Court Commissioner where he was released on personal recognizance.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Saturday, April 06, 2013
Worcester County Sheriff's Office Press Release
On March 27, 2013, at approximately 0815 hours, Worcester County Sheriff's Office Deputy was on patrol in the area of Route 113 Northbound at Kepler Lane, Bishopville, Worcester County, Maryland, when they observed a silver in color mini-van, traveling at what they believed to be over the posted speed limit of 55 miles per hour. The Deputy was able to obtain a speed reading of 65 miles per hour on the aforementioned mini-van. A traffic stop was affected on said mini-van and contact was made with the driver, identified as Chak Wah Kong, 44 years of age, of New York. Upon making contact with Kong, the Deputy observed that Kong became very nervous, his hands were shaking and he began to sweat. The Deputy was able to see numerous large black garbage bags in the rear portion of the mini-van and upon questioning Kong he stated that he was coming from Virginia and that there was fruit in the black bags. Upon returning to their vehicle the Deputy was able to look in the rear driver`s side window and was able to observe, in the seat area, a white bag that had the ends of Marlboro cigarette cartons sticking out from it, approximately 5 or 6 cartons.
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9 comments:
big crime isn't it? Take the cigs and van but let him go. all about money.
I feel so much safer now!!
What money? The cigarettes are destroyed. They can no longer be sold back to Virginia, or tax stamped and sold to a Maryland retailer. At most, the state can seize the van, which won't happen if it has a large lien, was a rental, or the state cannot prove the owner was a conspirator in the crime. The fine issued in court won't be enough to cover the expense of the man hours involved in the arrest. I've never understood this, as there is no intent by the suspects to sell the cigarettes in Maryland, or to avoid Maryland taxes, so other than he transport through the state, I do not see how they can be arrested in Maryland. If that is the case, aren't the wholesaler suppliers breaking the law by selling the product in Virginia and hauling them in freight to NY or CT though Maryland?
why is it wrong to buy cigs from va or del, but we can buy furniture, carpet, gas, food, soda, beer, wine, and nobody gives a dam?
7:16 PM
Yes, you raise some very good points. The money, is the lost of tax revenue the state of Md. THINKS it is losing. Since they won't buy the cigs in Md. in any event, they really are not losing tax money. They are, like you mentioned, losing money fighting this 'crime'.
So, instead of money, and being Md. is dead last in this country for personal freedoms and liberty, it must be about control. Like everything else they do.
This dumb enforcement will actually cost more money to prosecute from the point of officer contact to possible jail for the defendant. Guess who will pay for all this just so someone can get a atta boy?!
Thank God this guy was stopped! Those poor cops and lawmakers don't get paid enough to buy their own Marlboros! Now they won't need to raise my taxes again....UUUUNNNNNGGGGHHHHHH!
Why are we even concerned about this? It's the most asinine thing ever to worry about cigarette runners. It does not affect our state at all. Let the state who is losing out on the tax dollars worry about this.
Actually, the cigarettes are seized by the State Comptrollers, and sold to businesses. Sometimes, the vehicle is also seized and auctioned off. The State does make some $ on these.
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