Tobacco wholesaler with ties to Springfield accused of defrauding Massachusetts and Connecticut out of $43 million in tobacco tax revenue
A tobacco wholesaler with ties to Springfield is accused of robbing Connecticut and Massachusetts of $43 million in tobacco tax revenue. Syed I. Bokhari, 50, of Middletown, Connecticut, is the subject of a 32-count indictment involving charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, trafficking in contraband smokeless tobacco, and violating the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act, according to U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz.
PACT, as the federal act is commonly known, took effect in 2010 and prohibits the U.S. Postal Service from carrying cigarettes in the mail. PACT aims to prevent tobacco smuggling by collecting all tobacco taxes. According to the indictment, Bokhari defrauded Massachusetts and Connecticut of millions by failing to pay excise taxes on cigars and smokeless products that were owed by businesses he owned and controlled. The illicit activity began in about 2008 and lasted through June 2012, according to federal prosecutors.
http://www.masslive.com/news/boston/index.ssf/2014/10/tobacco_wholesaler_accused_in.html
Related Posts
Bengaluru: Gold worth Rs 37 lakh smuggled in door locks, underware.
BENGALURU: Gold smugglers often adopt innovative ways to deceive customs sleuths...
Gold worth Rs 96 lakh seized at Hyderabad airport
The customs officials on Saturday seized gold bars and jewellery worth Rs 96 from...
Md. cigarette taxes have unintended consequences
In recent years, Maryland has substantially raised tobacco taxes. Its current...
Counterfeit BMW 5-Series kit is an easy sell in China
Copyright and international law aside, you've got to give Chinese knockoffs due...