Franchot Agents "Tipped-Off" by MdTA Police, Seize Nearly 28,000 Illegal Smokes on I-95

Annapolis, MD (April 28, 2009) – After receiving a tip from a Maryland Transportation Authority (MdTA) officer, agents for Comptroller Peter Franchot confiscated nearly 28,000 packs of contraband cigarettes and arrested two men last night along Interstate 95 in White Marsh, Baltimore County. Officer Kevin Davis of the MdTA Police noticed numerous cartons of cigarettes in the vehicle during a routine traffic stop and requested the assistance of the Comptroller’s field enforcement agents.

“People who blatantly disregard tax laws will not be tolerated,” said Comptroller Franchot. “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.”

Officer Davis stopped a man driving a 2009 Chevrolet Express Van with Florida license plates on Interstate 95 in White Marsh. Comptroller’s agents arrived on the scene and seized 27,910 packs of illegal cigarettes, valued at almost $160,000. Officials arrested the driver of the vehicle, Yahov A. Pisman, and the passenger, Jacob Michael Sheyn, both residents of Wilmington, DE. They have 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.

Pisman and Sheyn are being held in the Baltimore County Detention Center awaiting a hearing before a court commissioner. 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 2009 on July 1, 2008, Comptroller agents have already arrested 102 individuals for tobacco violations and seized 170,271 packs of contraband cigarettes valued at more than $839,000, compared to the 55 individuals and 55,967 packs seized in all of fiscal year 2008.