Franchot's Agents Arrest NY Man, Seize Cigs on U.S. 13

Annapolis, Md. (April 27, 2009) – Comptroller Peter Franchot’s Field Enforcement agents confiscated nearly 1,500 packs of contraband cigarettes and arrested one man Saturday morning along U.S. 13 in Princess Anne, Somerset County.

“Any illegal attempt to avoid tax laws will not be tolerated in Maryland,” said Comptroller Franchot. “The state is trying to tackle an enormous deficit and we are doing all that we can to enforce Maryland’s tax laws and collect every dollar the state is due. My highly-trained agents will continue to crackdown on this illegal activity.”

Comptroller’s agents stopped a man driving a 2008 Chevrolet Impala with Rhode Island license plates in and seized 1,490 packs of contraband cigarettes valued at more than $8,500 on the morning of April 25, 2009. Officials arrested the vehicle's driver, Michael Leiva, 32, of Bronx, NY. He was arrested and charged by Comptroller agents 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.

Leiva was transported to the Somerset County court commissioner’s officer and was released on a $5,000 bond. The contraband cigarettes, $1,066 in cash and the vehicle were seized as evidence and are subject to state and federal forfeiture laws.

Since the start of fiscal year 2009 on July 1, 2008, Comptroller agents have already arrested 99 individuals for tobacco violations and seized 142,297 packs of contraband cigarettes valued at $678,724, compared to the 55 individuals and 55,967 packs that were seized in all of fiscal year 2008.