From: Coastal Point
Cigarettes sold in Virginia were stored in Dagsboro
By Nancy Powell, O.C. Today
One of the West Ocean City, Md., brothers indicted last year in a multi-million-dollar cigarette smuggling ring that stored some of its contraband in a Dagsboro location pleaded guilty June 27 to enterprise corruption.
Samer Ramadan, 40, pleaded guilty to the charge, the most serious one against him, was scheduled to be sentenced to two to six years in a New York state prison on Monday, July 7.
As treasurer, Ramadan was second-in-charge in the smuggling operation that he told Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Foley was run by his brother, Basel, 43, who continues to be held without bond, according to the New York Attorney General’s Office. Basel Ramadan’s trial is expected to take place in October, but his next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 12.
When Homeland Security officers and New York authorities raided Basel Ramadan’s Oyster Harbor residence in May 2013, they found approximately $1.4 million in cash, some of which was in black trash bags. Many items, including three handguns, were removed from the house and vehicles and taken away. The vehicles were also taken away from the property.
