NY authorities turn smokers into criminals
Published on June 1, 2009 4:25 AM
With the constantly increasing cost of cigarettes, which currently are selling for almost $10 for a pack and enormous $ 100 per carton in New York City, smokers have their hard-earned money are dwindling with every puff they make.
However, the State Government in no circumstances would stop inventing new restrictions and amendments directed at gaining more control and power on distribution and possession of tobacco products, simply not realizing that they create a brand-new black market with their own hands.
And there are plenty of examples, for instance, According to the New York Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives press-release, the Bureau agents detained two men, suspected in purchasing counterfeit cigarettes in exchange for false New York State Tax Stamps. The bargain was arranged by undercover ATF detectives on April 9.
New York Police Department reported that the arrested men --Queens Residents 58-year-old Guang Ming Wang, and his son, Fei Shan Wang, 30, were accused of criminal behavior and distribution of counterfeit goods.
The New York Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives spokesman said that Guang Ming Wang came to the arranged "bargain" place in Brooklyn having $312,000 and a suitcase full of false tax stamps. When he transmitted the money and stamps to undercover ATF agent in exchange for 12,000 cartons of untaxed cigarettes, ATF and NYPD officers arrested him. His son, Fei Shan Wang was taken into custody approximately at the same time in other borough. Both arrested men have taken part in the same illegal practices starting from June 2008. During the past 10 months they have concluded more than 10 illegal bargains by the same scheme.
As it was reported, since last June, Guang Ming Wang bought a combined total of 32,000 cartons of counterfeit cigarettes for almost $900,000 and distributed more than 100,000 false New York State tax stamps. After purchasing the untaxed cigarettes Guang Ming Wang and his son were usually selling them to two stores locations of which are not disclosed in the interests of investigation. NYPD executed searches in both stores and confiscated counterfeit cigarettes.
According to preliminary estimations the arrested men would be accused in the commitment of a large scale fraud that lead to multiply tax evasions and infliction of at least $1.5 million loss in revenue of New York City and State treasuries. During 9 months the defendants distributed up to 320,000 packs of various cigarettes that had an estimated value of almost $2.5 million. Also, almost $400,000 were obtained by the Wangs as a result of selling more than 4,000 counterfeit tax stamps.
Meantime, when NYPD was occupied with arresting those criminals especially dangerous for the society, the lower House of the U.S. Congress almost unanimously voted for the amendment to give US Food and Drug Administration the power to regulate tobacco products.
It was the first time since last year that an amendment was approved by such an overwhelming majority. Last time when a bill gained so many votes was when the House of Representatives passed Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.
Therefore, there would be now two federal agencies that have the power to regulate cigarettes. And we would definitely have more of them in the nearest future. May be we would have SWAT group tracking and detaining every citizen caught on buying tax-free Indian cigarettes or smoking in his bathroom; or may be the Government would include some new articles in the Criminal Code to fine and sentence people who bought their smokes in neighbor states or online stores.
“All we want is making our citizens healthier and generate more revenue,” a NYPD agent cited the words of New York City Mayor, “and creating a new criminal enterprise," he added.
"What would be the next thing they would tax? Trans-fats or sugared drinks? Imagine, a couple of years later, the NYPD would arrest teenagers for drinking soda? It is ridiculous what they are doing. They infringe our fundamental rights and freedoms," states Earn Perkins, a political strategist.
