February 23, 2005
(Olympia) – An investigation by the Tobacco Tax Unit of the Washington
State Liquor Control Board resulted in the seizure of 113 cases of
contraband Carnival cigarettes from two cargo vans traveling westbound
on I-90 near Ellensburg last Thursday (Feb. 17, 2005). Federal and
state officers impounded 6,780 cartons with a Washington State
cigarette tax value of $96,615.00, according to Al Anderson,
Supervisor.
Agents of the
federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives executed
the search warrant and seized the cigarettes following a two-month
investigation by the LCB’s Tobacco Tax Unit. LCB agents closely
monitored the two vans, which traveled from southeastern in Clarkston
to western Washington three times a week to make deliveries to a smoke
shop on Puyallup tribal land.
In collaboration
with federal agents, LCB Tobacco Tax Officers have conducted
investigations of illegal shipments of untaxed cigarettes and other
tobacco products into Washington since 1997, resulting in the recovery
of cigarettes worth more than a million dollars at auction.
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Anyone who has information regarding
illegal activity at a licensed establishment is encouraged to report
that information to the Liquor Control Board’s toll-free tip line:
1-888-838-3956.
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