374 Packs of Contraband Cigarettes Found at Tobacco Shop: Prosecutors

The owner of a Bridgeview tobacco store is charged with unlawful possession of contraband cigarettes after investigators found 374 packs of cigarettes without the Illinois stamp on the packages, prosecutors said in court on Thursday.

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Yaser Saleh, 35, appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice for a bond hearing in Bridgeview.

Prosecutors said that authorities executed a search warrant at Tobacco Spot, 9010 S. Harlem Ave., Bridgeview, around 4:48 p.m. Wednesday.

According to the charges, after initially finding 84 packs of multiple brands of cigarettes that did not carry the Illinois stamp, Saleh gave permission to authorities to search his vehicle.

There, authorities found 290 packs of various brands of contraband smokes, prosecutors said.

Saleh has no prior arrests. His attorney argued for an I-bond, saying he was a married father of six.

“I’m not giving an I-bond, not for that many cigarettes,” Judge Felice said.

Saleh’s attorney then suggested $300 bond.

“Not for $300,” the judge said. “That’s a significant amount of money tax wise.”

Judge Felice set bail at $30,000, with ten percent to apply.

“3,000, that’s a gift,” he said.

Saleh is due back in court on Sept. 14.