Franchot release

Worcester Co. Police Tip Leads Comptroller Agents to Seize More Than 3,500 Illegal Cigs on US-13

Annapolis, Md. (September 30, 2009) – After receiving a tip from a Worcester County Sherriff’s Office corporal, agents for Comptroller Peter Franchot confiscated more than 3,500 packs of contraband cigarettes and arrested one man yesterday along US-13 in Pocomoke City. Corporal Nate Passwaters of the Worcester County Sherriff’s Office observed the driver of the vehicle purchase a large amount of cigarettes from a Virginia store and notified the Comptroller’s field enforcement agents about possible illegal activity.

Corporal Passwaters stopped a man driving a 2007 Mercedes-Benz with New York license plates on US-13 in Pocomoke City. Comptroller’s agents arrived on the scene and seized 3,510 packs of illegal cigarettes, valued at more than $20,000. Officials arrested the driver of the vehicle, Zaur Rakhamimov, a resident of Brooklyn, NY. He has been charged with transporting contraband cigarettes and possession of contraband cigarettes in the state of Maryland. The transporting charge is a felony, which carries a $50 per carton fine and/or two years imprisonment; and the possession offense is a misdemeanor, carrying a $1000 fine and/or imprisonment, not exceeding one year.

“The economy has had an effect on everyone; however, it does not give anyone an excuse to blatantly disregard tax laws,” said Comptroller Franchot. “This illegal activity will not be tolerated and my agents will continue to work closely with our partners in law enforcement to enforce Maryland’s tobacco laws which protect law-abiding businesses and keep our communities free from contraband.”

Rakhamimov was remanded to the Worcester County Detention Center awaiting a judicial review before a District Court judge today. His bail was set at $20,000. The contraband cigarettes and the vehicle were seized as evidence and are subject to state and federal forfeiture laws.

Since the start of fiscal year 2010 on July 1, 2009, Comptroller agents have already arrested 39 individuals for tobacco violations and seized 17,097 packs of contraband cigarettes valued at nearly $100,000. During fiscal year 2009, 114 individuals were arrested and 172,793 packs of cigarettes valued at more than $850,000 were seized.

Contact: Caron Brace, (410) 260-7438 (office), (410) 212-9414 (cell)