From: CSPnet.com
Intends to crack down on illegal cigarette, tobacco trafficking, sales
ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has established a new Cigarette Strike Force to crack down on illegal tobacco trafficking and sales. The Strike Force is composed of state, local and federal agencies dedicated to stopping the influx of counterfeit and untaxed tobacco products into the state New York.
The Strike Force also focuses on tracing any illicit financial earnings from that criminal activity.
“This new law enforcement strategy will help to crack down on these illegal cigarette sales and capture those smugglers who seek to evade the law and rob the state of the revenue it is rightly owed, thereby putting an additional burden on law-abiding taxpayers,” Cuomo said. “Would-be traffickers are now on notice: They will be caught and they will be brought to justice.”
By combining resources, the members of the Strike Force will be able to both improve their database of crime-related intelligence and share critical information as the team works to disrupt and dismantle major trafficking organizations.
“We thank the local and federal law enforcement agencies who are partnering with us on this effort to eliminate illegal cigarette trafficking,” said Commissioner of Taxation & Finance Thomas H. Mattox.
