$18K In Illegal Cigarettes Seized In Eastern Shore Arrest

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Maryland Comptroller agents recently arrested a New York man in a Eastern Shore cigarette stop, and seized nearly 3,000 packs of cigarettes worth almost $20,000. The arrest was a result of a surveillance operation on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, according to a news release.

During the surveillance operation on Aug. 23, Nasser Manssour, 55, of Brooklyn, New York, was driving a 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV with New Jersey tags when he was reportedly seen concealing cigarettes in the rear of the vehicle at a discount cigarette retail store on the Lower Shore area of Virginia. Agents said he then drove north on U.S. Route 13 into Maryland and was stopped at U.S. Route 13 and Sheep House Road in Pocomoke, Worcester County.

Agents searched Manssour's vehicle and found 2,820 packs of contraband cigarettes worth $18,189, which represented a $5,640 tax loss to the state. The contraband cigarettes and vehicle were seized and Manssour was arrested.

He was taken before a Worcester County District Court Commissioner in Snow Hill and charged with a felony count of transporting contraband cigarettes and a misdemeanor count of possession of contraband cigarettes.

A preliminary hearing has been set for Sept. 14 at Worcester County District Court. Manssour was released on his own recognizance.

“My FED agents’ vigilance protects Maryland businesses and taxpayers from those who try to cheat the system with their illegal activities in transporting tobacco products through our state,” said Comptroller Peter Franchot in a news release. “I am very proud of their dedicated service and steadfast ability to identify these criminals.”

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