ATF, ICE break up major contraband cigarette trafficking ring

[The Straight Story]

ATF, ICE BREAK UP MAJOR CONTRABAND
CIGARETTE TRAFFICKING RING
Eleven Arrested and $250,000 Seized

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Eleven people face federal criminal charges today following the breakup of a major contraband cigarette trafficking ring based in Riverside that investigators estimate cost the government and industry more than $1 million in lost taxes and revenues.

The nearly three-year undercover investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) culminated this week with the arrest of nine suspects and the seizure of more than $250,000 in currency. ATF and ICE received substantial assistance in the case from the California Board of Equalization, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

John A. Torres, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Los Angeles Field Division, said the operation has dismantled one of the largest cigarette trafficking rings ever uncovered in California’s “Inland Empire.”

http://www.atf.gov/press/fy05press/field/041505la_contrabandringbroken.htm

[jimshoes]

1. Wonder how many millions were spent

to bust these guys? I'd love to know.