From: Associated Press
OMAHA — Six people face federal charges for allegedly smuggling cigarettes from Vietnam and unlawfully selling them in Nebraska.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Omaha said the group had more than 10,000 cigarettes shipped from Vietnam to Lincoln addresses in December and March. The prosecutor said the group sold the cigarettes, disguised as presents, and didn’t collect state or federal cigarette taxes.
An 18-count indictment against the suspects was announced Friday. The charges relate to the importation, possession, distribution and sale of untaxed cigarettes. Maximum sentences for each count range from five to 20 years.
U.S. Attorney Deb Gilg said the investigation into the smuggling ring is still under way.
