Crime & Safety
Major Contraband Bust On I-95 Near White Marsh: Comptroller
The comptroller commended Maryland State Police for finding more than 1,600 packs of contraband cigarettes during a traffic stop.
BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — State troopers found more than $10,000 worth of contraband cigarettes while conducting a traffic stop on Interstate 95 near White Marsh this week, the comptroller reported. The driver was pulled over for speeding, according to court records.
Ebrahim Mukai Mohamed Altairi, 20, of Richmond, Virginia, had been going 86 mph in a 65 mph zone, court records show.
When state police conducted a traffic stop on I-95 near mile marker 70, authorities said they discovered he was allegedly transporting a cache of unmarked cigarettes.
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State Comptroller Peter Franchot reported on Thursday that there were 1,650 packs of contraband cigarettes inside the rented 2019 Chevrolet Colorado SUV with Virginia tags.
"Day or night, my agents remain vigilant in identifying criminals who try to cheat Maryland citizens and who use Maryland highways in the pursuit of their illegal acts," Franchot said in a statement. "Their dedication and hard work along with the Maryland State Police protects our businesses and our citizens."
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According to Franchot, the contraband cigarettes were valued at $10,642.50 and represented a tax loss to the state of $3,300. In addition to the cigarettes, he said the SUV was seized and Altair was arrested.
Troopers from the JFK Barrack were credited with making the stop.
Altairi was charged with the following offenses, according to court records:
He was released on was released from the Baltimore County Detention Center after posting $25,000 bond. A preliminary hearing in his case has been set for Sept. 14 at Baltimore County District Court.
The comptroller released these statistics so far this fiscal year, which began July 1, 2018:
- Eight individuals have been charged with tobacco violations in eight investigations.
- 1,650 packs of contraband cigarettes have been seized.
- 35,938 sticks of other tobacco products have been seized.
- $46,580.50 in seizures would have resulted in a tax loss to the state of $28,456.50.
File photo by Renee Shiavone.
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