Comptroller Schaefer's Agents Seize $50,000 in Contraband Cigarettes

Prince George's Arrest Nets Largest Capture In FY 05

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (August 6, 2004)-Enforcement agents for Comptroller William Donald Schaefer arrested a cigarette smuggler last night in Prince George's County netting more than $50,000 in untaxed cigarettes, the largest seizure so far in fiscal year 2005.

At approximately 7:30 p.m., agents stopped a 2004 Dodge Caravan on Route 495 near Route 4 in Prince George's County and discovered 12,600 packs of untaxed cigarettes valued at $50,652. Agents arrested the vehicle's driver, Juan Lin, 38, of Charlottesville, Va.

Lin was charged with transportation of untaxed cigarettes, a felony which carries a two-year jail sentence and/or a $50 per carton fine. She was also charged with unlawful possession of untaxed cigarettes, a misdemeanor that carries a one-year jail sentence and/or $1,000 fine.

During fiscal year 2004, the Comptroller's enforcement agents made 177 arrests and seized 231,954 packs of cigarettes valued at $932,455. Since the beginning of the new fiscal year on July 1, the agents have made nine arrests and seized 27,559 packs of untaxed cigarettes valued at $109,138.