Meriden Man Arrested in Contraband Tobacco Seizure

Three men were arrested and more than $130,000 in cash was seized after a Department of Revenue Services investigation into a Meriden wholesaler.

“Today our (Master Settlement Agreement) enforcement agents shut down a lucrative operation that was a significant state-wide distributor of untaxed cigarette and tobacco products,” said DRS Commissioner Kevin Sullivan. “Their actions stopped the sale of as much as $8 million in untaxed contraband.”

MSA enforcement began by arrested Syed Rivi of Middletown as he was leaving to purchase untaxed tobacco in Pennslyvania, according to DRS. A delivery van and $60,000 was seized.

Mohamed Thahir of Meriden, the owner of A&R Wholesale LLC was arrested at his Meriden home and $23,000 in cash was seized. Mohamed Anis of Waterbury was arrested at his home in Waterbury.

Agents then went to the wholesale business and seized about $47,000 worth of untaxed tobacco products and additional contraband, according to DRS.

Rizvi is charged with possession or sale of untaxed tobacco products and conspiracy to sell untaxed tobacco products. He faces a fine of up to $2,000, up to two years in prison, or both.

Thahir is charged with possession or sale of untaxed tobacco products, conspiracy to sell untaxed tobacco products, and sale of counterfeit goods. He faces a fine of up to $252,000, up to two years in prison, or both.

Anis is charged with possession of fraudulent tax stamps, sale of untaxed goods, and sale of counterfeit goods. He faces a fine of up to $256,000, up to 11 years in prison, or both.