More than $18,000 worth of untaxed tobacco products was seized from six stores in Baltimore and Prince George's County by agents from Comptroller Peter Franchot's Field Enforcement Division during raids from late April through early May. The goods represent a potential state tax loss of nearly $13,000.
Since July 1, 2017 FED agents have arrested and charged 148 people for various tobacco violations, seizing 169,314 packs of contraband cigarettes and 448,053 sticks of untaxed other tobacco products, valued at nearly $1.6 million, representing roughly $720,000 in state tax losses.
The owner of a BP Gas Station at 6019 Belair Rd. in Baltimore, Asif Ayub, 47, of Baltimore, was charged with willful possession, and sale or offer to sell untaxed other tobacco products. Clerk Tamer Farid Abdalla, 35, of Baltimore, was charge with selling unpackaged cigarettes. Agents seized $2,200 worth of untaxed other tobacco products.
The owner of H&C Market on 1946 Pen Rose Ave. in Baltimore, Shia Ying Lin, 41, of Baltimore, was charged with will possession and sale of offer to sell untaxed other tobacco products. Clerk Bao Ying Lin, 44, of Baltimore, was charged with selling unpackaged cigarettes. Agents seized $1,250 worth of other tobacco products.
Xiaoyon Ouyang, 32, of Baltimore, a clerk at the Hillen Grocery Store located at 1900 E. 31st St. in Baltimore, was charged with selling unpacked cigarettes.
The owner of the Harford Mini Mart at 4600 Harford Rd. in Baltimore, Omar Alawgarey, 44, of Baltimore, was charged with willful possession, and sale or offer to sell untaxed other tobacco products. Clerk Mohamed Nouraldin, 40, of Baltimore, was charged with selling unpacked cigarettes. Agents seized $910 worth of untaxed other tobacco products in the raid.
The owner of A Plus Convenience Store at 3745 W. Belvedere Ave. in Baltimore, Kyoo Han, 70, of Glen Burnie, was charged with will possession and sale or offer to sell untaxed other tobacco products after agents seized nearly $750 worth of such products.
The owner of Brothers Deli and Grocery at 3448 Belair Rd. in Baltimore, Hamzah Nagi, 22, of Baltimore, was changed with willful possession and sale or offer to sell untaxed other tobacco products after agents seized nearly $2,400 worth of contraband tobacco from the location.
A clerk at the Quick Mart at 58505 Silver Hill Rd. in District Heights, Md., Abdul Wahab, 32, of Columbia, was charged with will possession and sale or offer to sell untaxed other tobacco products after $8,600 worth of such goods were seized by agents.
The store manager of the Dollar Store Plus Food on 3512 Old Silver Hill Rd. in Suitland, Md., Erzik Adem, 46, or Arlington, Va., was charged with willful possession and sale or offer to sell untaxed other tobacco products after agents seized $2,440 worth of such contraband in a raid.
