Protecting people, safeguarding revenue

Criminals who think smuggling untaxed cigarettes into Maryland is
an easy way to make a quick buck have been unpleasantly surprised, in
the form of an expanded enforcement effort.

During fiscal year 2000, the comptroller's enforcement agents made
31 arrests and seized 183,162 packs of cigarettes valued at $590,014 and
representing a tax loss to Maryland of $120,886. This compares to five
arrests and 39,264 packs seized in fiscal year 1999.

Increased criminal activity, spurred in part by a July 1999 cigarette
tax increase, threatens more than state revenues. The smugglers, many
of whom are involved in other criminal activity such as money launder-
ing, writing bad checks, theft, and fraud, and some with ties to terrorist
groups, pose a threat to Maryland citizens. "I want these dangerous
criminals to know they can't do business here in Maryland without facing
the consequences," said Comptroller Schaefer.

By seizing thousands of
packs of smuggled
cigarettes, the comptroller's
enforcement agents protect
tax revenue and target
criminal activity.

COMPTROLLER OF MARYLAND