Liquor and Cannabis Board Enforcement Officers seize illegal tobacco product

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) on April 19, 2017, served a search warrant on a residence located at 3805 164th St SW in Lynnwood, WA for distributing tobacco and vapor products and cigarettes without a license. The suspect was allegedly operating out of his apartment residence.  

 

An investigation has been ongoing for several months. The suspect allegedly purchased vapor and tobacco products, and cigarettes from an unauthorized location and distributed cigarettes, loose pipe tobacco, cigars, chewing tobacco and vapor products to multiple licensed tobacco retailers without paying the tax to the Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR). 

 

LCB Enforcement officers seized over 430 boxes of tobacco products, 31 boxes of vapor products, over $7,000 in cash, receipts and documents which will lead to other investigations, and a cargo van use to deliver the illegal product. The location was not licensed by the LCB as a tobacco, cigarette or vapor distributor. 

 

LCB officers will be recommending charges against the suspect for the transportation and distribution of tobacco and vapor product without a license as well as not submitting a tax assessment to the DOR. The illegal distribution of tobacco and vapor products is a felony.