Three men plead guilty in alleged counterfeit cigarette paper ring

WOOD-TV ^ | 10-6-2005

[Cagey]

DETROIT Three Dearborn men have pleaded guilty to federal charges in what authorities say was an international counterfeit cigarette paper ring.

Forty-year-old Tarek Makki and his 38-year-old cousin Adham Mackie pleaded guilty in U-S District Court yesterday to conspiracy, trafficking in counterfeit goods, money laundering and making false statements in federal court in Dallas.

Tarek Makki's brother, 26-year-old Ali Makki pleaded guilty to conspiracy, money laundering and making false declarations in court in Texas.

Investigators say the men manufactured counterfeit Zig-Zag cigarette papers in Indonesia, smuggled them into the United States and distributed them across the country.

[evolved_rage]

Ali Makki pleaded guilty to conspiracy, money laundering and making false declarations in court in Texas.

Did they have 3 or for 4 grand juries to figure this one out in Texas. >-/

[TheBattman]

Counterfeit Cigarette paper? There's actually money in that?

[joem15]

I think ZZ Top has a song out about this.

[Cagey]

Wasn't that about sunglasses?

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

Counterfeit Cigarette paper? There's actually money in that?

You don't really think too many people roll tobacco in those papers do you ?

Sure there's money in it Marijuana is most generally rolled and smoked and it's a Thriving Business all it's own

[atomic_dog]

[tfecw]

" You don't really think too many people roll tobacco in those papers do you ?"

When I was living in destitution (college) I used to hand roll tobacco smokes. Had more than a few waitresses comment that i can't smoke "that" in the restaurant. :) Of course that was when you could smoke in NY

But your post is correct, just wanted to toss in the fact that you have to be 18 to buy cigarette papers.

[SheLion]

" You don't really think too many people roll tobacco in those papers do you ?"

Here is what most of us use: 200 for $1.99

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

oooh! I'm glad they're off the streets.

[Cagey]

I recently attended a business meeting and at the meeting we had a group of seven Germans. Five of them rolled their own cigarettes and said it was very popular in Germany.

[OSHA]

I was recently in the Netherlands. 7 out of 10 smokers in the smoking area were rolling them.

[SheLion]

I recently attended a business meeting and at the meeting we had a group of seven Germans. Five of them rolled their own cigarettes and said it was very popular in Germany.

It's catching on in the states as well.  What with the states raising cigarette taxes through the roof, people are starting to roll their own.  I can roll a carton for a little under $8 dollars.  Compared to $60 at the stores in town.  Quit a savings!

[dennisw]

More immigrant criminals. These seem to be Muslim. Are they legal or illegal? You would be surprised how legal immigrants are into welfare fraud, tax evasion, automobile insurance fraud, cigarette tax fraud, and criminal activity.

Legal immigrants are often eager employers of illegal immigrants such as in Chinese restaurants, Mexican construction crews, janitorial services.....much more

[tfecw]

"What with the states raising cigarette taxes through the roof, people are starting to roll their own. I can roll a carton for a little under $8 dollars. Compared to $60 at the stores in town. Quit a savings!"

Yuppers I rolled my own in college. Then I would get the underclassmen to roll them for me. Then I moved down to VA where they just give em away for free. Well not really, but they'll have to hike the tax a few bucks before I dust off the ol machine.

[texas booster]

Interesting that Middle Eastern types have been indicted for counterfiet cigarettes, papers, baby formula, movies, CDs, jewelry and countless other items.

Also read where fake and stolen baby formula proceeds were being sent to Hamas. Also read that North Korea makes counterfiet cigs.

Hard to believe that there is a market for this stuff. Just goes to show you ...

[TheBattman]

I was referring to money in "counterfiet" cigarette papers - they aren't that expensive in the first place are they? What do they do, buy generic paper and then put them in fake packages? That's a profitable business?

[listenhillary]

Watch for holographic images and UV ink printed papers to weed out the counterfeit zig-zags.

It is a truly bizarre thing to counterfeit.

What's next? Toilet paper?

[Texas WOP]

Taric, Adham and Ali.... Three Irish lads who have lost thier way. More's the pity...