Nine indicted in P.G. on cigarette smuggling

Nine people were indicted in Prince George’s County on charges of smuggling cigarettes from Virginia into Maryland, in a show of force for county and state officials trying to crack down on such operations. Nearly 15,000 packs of cigarettes were seized during the arrests of the nine charged, according to officials, resulting in 28-count indictment announced Thursday by Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks.

In each arrest, made in July and August, agents from the Maryland Comptroller’s Office were tipped off by Virginia officials, who reported smugglers purchasing huge quantities of cigarettes, stuffing the cartons into trash bags and suitcases.