Illinois Men Plead Guilty To Smuggling Tobacco Into Minnesota

WASHINGTON COUNTY, MN — The Minnesota Department of Revenue (DOR) announced that the Washington County Attorney’s Office recently reached plea agreements with Mohammad A.M. Abdul Majid from Bridgeview, IL, and Iman Gencehan Ugurlu, from Oak Lawn, IL. Both men received five years of probation for felony aiding and abetting the sale of untaxed tobacco.

The men also agreed to pay the state more than $74,000 in restitution. Washington County charged Majid and Urgulu earlier this year with one count each of felony aiding and abetting the sale of untaxed tobacco products and one count each of felony aiding and abetting aggravated forgery.

The charges stemmed from a traffic stop by the Minnesota State Patrol, in which the men were found to be in possession of more than $78,000 worth of untaxed tobacco products. The amount of untaxed tobacco products seized was the largest known seizure of such products in Minnesota history, according to a news release from the DOR.

(For more local news, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Minnesota Patch, click here to find your local Minnesota Patch. Also, follow us on Facebook, and if you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

“The department works closely with licensed tobacco wholesalers to gain information about possible smuggled tobacco products to prevent that contraband product from entering the marketplace. Smuggled tobacco creates an unfair advantage for businesses that do not follow the law,” said Revenue Commissioner Cynthia Bauerly in a statement. “This case is a prime example of the partnership we have with state and local law enforcement agencies, and shows how we work together to ensure that the state’s tax laws are enforced fairly and evenly.”

The Minnesota Department of Revenue has a 24-hour tip line for anyone who suspects that a person or business is violating Minnesota tax laws. Local callers may dial (651) 297-5195 or call toll-free by dialing 1-800-657-3500.

Image via Google Streetview