Annapolis, MD (May 6, 2008) - Agents for Comptroller Peter Franchot, in conjunction with a Maryland State Police (MSP) officer, made an arrest yesterday confiscating more than 3,700 packs of contraband cigarettes on Interstate 95 in Cecil County.

"Cigarette smugglers and others who attempt to evade Maryland tax laws and regulations will not be tolerated," said Comptroller Franchot. "My agents will continue to work closely with our partners in law enforcement to enforce the laws and regulations put in place to protect law-abiding businesses."

At 1:13 p.m. on Monday, a MSP corporal stopped the driver of a 2007 Toyota Sienna for following the vehicle ahead of it too closely. During the traffic stop, the corporal noticed a sizeable amount of cigarettes in the vehicle, none of which had Maryland tax stamps affixed as required by law. He contacted the Comptroller of Maryland's Field Enforcement Division for assistance.

Comptroller agents arrested and charged Sirhan Abdelaziz Abdullah, 25, of Clifton, N.J., with transportation of unstamped cigarettes, a felony that carries a $50 per carton fine and/or two years imprisonment; and, possession of unstamped cigarettes, a misdemeanor carrying a $1000 fine and/or imprisonment not exceeding one year. Agents seized the car and 3,750 packs of illegal cigarettes worth nearly $19,000.

So far in fiscal year 2008, agents have charged 40 individuals with tobacco-related violations and seized a total of 44,764 packs of contraband cigarettes valued at approximately $207,000.

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