The state Department of Revenue Services has seized more than $700,000 worth of contraband and counterfeit tax stamps from a residential location in New Britain. Agents also made arrests in conjunction with the seizure.
Department of Revenue Services agents from the MSA Tobacco Enforcement Unit, with the assistance of New Britain Police, recovered about 1,100 cartons of untaxed and fraudulently stamped cigarettes, over 67,000 fraudulent cigarette tax stamps, and numerous untaxed tobacco products. The confiscated material represents more than $720,000 in Connecticut taxes.
Arrested were New Britain residents Maximiliano Reyes-Cadena, 43, and Epifanio Razon-Almonte, 57, on various charges related to the alleged trafficking of fraudulently stamped cigarettes and untaxed tobacco products. The arrests followed a lengthy investigation assisted by the New Britain Police Department. The MSA Tobacco Enforcement Unit is a criminal enforcement unit within DRS.
Reyes-Cadena is charged with possession of fraudulent tax stamps, possession of untaxed cigarettes (greater than 100 cartons), and possession of untaxed tobacco. Razon-Almonte is charged with possession of fraudulent tax stamps, possession of untaxed cigarettes (greater than 100 cartons), possession of untaxed tobacco, selling cigarettes without a license, and first degree larceny. Both are scheduled to appear in New Britain count on Jan. 20.
DRS Commissioner Kevin B. Sullivan said the issue of untaxed cigarettes is important because revenues can be funneled to organized crime and global terrorism.
