Posted on 07/20/2009 10:48:21 AM PDT by markomalley
States across the U.S. have been taking a harder line against an old problem -- cigarette smuggling -- as part of the widening search for solutions to their budget problems.
States including Florida, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island and Virginia this year have stepped up law-enforcement efforts with the aim of recouping taxes lost to bootleg cigarette sales.
Studies indicate states are losing about $5 billion annually in tax revenue because of illegal tobacco sales, said Phil Awe, who heads the tobacco-diversion division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
"We do not want to have our tax laws ignored and lose tax revenue from legitimate sales of cigarettes," Maryland State Comptroller Peter Franchot said of the crackdown. He estimates that his state is losing "hundreds of thousands of dollars" annually.
The focus on cigarette smuggling is one of several initiatives gaining momentum as states hunt for new revenue to avoid cutting services or raising taxes. Some are contemplating revising current laws or creating new ones that could force out-of-state online retailers to collect sales taxes.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
I can not recall the exact amount of cigarettes people are allowed to cross state borders with but the amount is very high. High enough so that people involved will make a very tidy profit.
Not too long ago I understand a 19 year old kid from NJ was busted with well over the amount legal for crossing borders. He had a very profitable operation going but managed to get pulled over by the police for a busted tail light.
Does anyone GROW their own tobacco yet, under heat lamps in apartments? It WILL happen SOON, you can be sure!
I paid $7.50 for the last carton I bought! LOL. Times change. In college I once bought a pack for 19 CENTS, in either Virginia or North Carolina! On the way to a war protest in Washington, DC. LOL.
Used to be $26? I have bought Marlboros for $7.50 per carton in Texas. LOL.
And I used to buy them for $4.50 in the commissary. I was talking about a year ago, not 25 years ago. LOL.
WOW! That IS amazing! LOL.
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