According to a report from KARK, Arkansas state police stopped a truck on Interstate 40 near Paragould and discovered over 3,270 boxes of cigarettes. The Arkansas State Police Department stated that a total of 32,671 packs of tobacco were confiscated, with an estimated untaxed value exceeding $311,000.
Arkansas authorities have announced the arrest and detention of 35-year-old Ali Ali Ashabi from El Paso, Texas. He is facing charges of unlawfully possessing untaxed tobacco and unauthorized use of someone else’s property for the purpose of engaging in specific criminal activities. Ashabi was taken into custody and transported to the Lonoke County detention center.
The regulatory department is under the responsibility of the finance and management departments. Department head Trent Minner stated that this seizure is believed to be the largest in the history of Arkansas.
The special task force has confirmed that in addition to cigarettes, the truck has also been seized.
