NCJ Number
55930
Date Published
1979
Length
10 pages
Annotation
IN THIS SPEECH TO MEMBERS OF THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS EXPAINS THE PROVISIONS OF A NEW LAW ALLOWING FEDERAL INTERVENTION IN CIGARETTE SMUGGLING.
Abstract
RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENFORCEMENT OF PUBLIC LAW 95-575, WHICH IS AN ATTEMPT TO CONTROL THE SMUGGLING OF CIGARETTES FROM STATES WITH A LOW TOBACCO EXCISE TAX TO THOSE WITH A HIGH TOBACCO TAX, LIES WITH THE U.S. TREASURY DEPARTMENT. ORGINALLY SUCH SMUGGLING WAS SEEN AS A STATE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, ORGANIZED CRIME HAS TAKEN OVER. LEGITIMATE WHOLESALERS, RETAILERS, DRIVERS, PACKERS, AND SALESMEN HAVE LOST THEIR LIVELIHOOD AND THERE IS EVIDENCE OF EXTORTION, TRUCK HIJACKINGS, ARMED ROBBERY, ASSUALTS, AND MURDER. THE LAW FORBIDS ANYONE EXCEPT TOBACCO MANUFACTURERS, EXPORT WAREHOUSE PROPRIETORS, OPERATORS OF CUSTOMS BONDED WAREHOUSES, AND OTHER AUTHORIZED PERSONS FROM POSSESSING MORE THAN 60,000 CIGARETTES WHICH DO NOT BEAR EVIDENCE OF APPROPRIATE STATE TAX PAYMENT. IT ALSO SAYS THAT ANYONE WHO SHIPS OR DISTRIBUTES ANY QUANTITY OF CIGARETTES IN EXCESS OF 60,000 IN A SINGLE TRANSACTION MUST MAINTAIN SUCH RECORDS AS WILL BE REQUIRED BY THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT. THE EXACT NATURE OF THESE RECORDS HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THE TIME OF THIS SPEECH. THE INDUSTRY OFFICIALS PRESENT WERE ASSURED EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO KEEP THE REQUIREMENTS REASONABLE. (GLR)