Udayappan Subramanian, Cigarette Smuggling, West Virginia 2018

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – In a brazen case of cigarette smuggling, Udayappan Subramanian, a 41-year-old resident of Haymarket, Virginia, has been sentenced to 12 months probation for unlawful cigarette trafficking.

According to court documents, Subramanian pled guilty to one count of ‘Trafficking of Contraband Cigarettes’ in June 2018. It is alleged that he transported large quantities of contraband cigarettes across state lines for redistribution and sale. The cigarettes were acquired in Virginia, where the tax rate for cigarettes is one of the lowest in the nation, and sold in other states, including New York, which has one of the nation’s highest tax rates.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Stein prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. Homeland Security Investigations, the Frederick County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, and the West Virginia State Police investigated.

The case highlights the severity of cigarette smuggling and the importance of enforcing tax laws. ‘This sentence serves as a reminder that those who engage in cigarette trafficking will be held accountable,’ said Randy Bernard, First Assistant United States Attorney.

Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided over the case. Udayappan Subramanian’s sentence is a result of his guilty plea in June 2018.

The sentence handed down to Subramanian is a testament to the tireless efforts of law enforcement agencies in combating cigarette smuggling. As the nation continues to grapple with the issue of cigarette trafficking, it is essential that those who engage in such activities are brought to justice.

In related news, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau has increased its efforts to combat cigarette smuggling, working closely with state and local law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute those involved in the trade.