Palos Hills Cops Find 1,200 Packs of Unstamped Cigarettes in BMW: IL Attorney General

PALOS HILS, IL -- A father of six was arrested after Palos Hills police said they found hundreds of packs of unstamped cigarettes in his BMW.

Sami Abdallah, 56, appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice on felony charges of transportation of unstamped cigarettes and possession of unstamped cigarettes.

An attorney from the Illinois Attorney General’s office said that Abdullah was driving a BMW in the 8200 block of west 103rd Street when he was stopped for suspended registration around 1:17 p.m. Jan. 3.

The BMW was towed and during a custodial search police discovered 1,200 packs of unstamped cigarettes inside the vehicle. Abdallah has no prior criminal background.

Abdallah’s attorney told the judge that his client has six children. He’s due to start liver dialysis and suffers from a torn meniscus in his knee.”

“You’re talking $5,000 in taxes that he’s avoiding paying,” Judge Felice said. “If I didn’t pay my taxes I’d not only be penalized by the government I’d be in jail.”

Bail was set at $50,000. Abdullah’s next court hearing is set for Jan. 26 in Bridgeview.