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(58 seconds)
-- How Will You Use This Story? --
(OPEN):
OVER THE THANKSGIVING-WEEKEND, THIS
YEAR'S STATE-TAX LOSSES RESULTING FROM TOBACCO-SMUGGLING WILL HIT FIVE-BILLION DOLLARS.
THAT'S ACCORDING TO RICHARD MARIANOS--A RETIRED "A-T-F"-AGENT WHO NOW SPEAKS OUT ABOUT THE ISSUE, AT
"THE-NEW-TOBACCO-ROAD"-DOT-COM...
(MARIANOS):
"CIGARETTE-SMUGGLING IS NO LONGER A MOM-AND-POP OPERATION; INSTEAD,
IT'S GROWING INTO A SOPHISTICATED CRIMINAL-INDUSTRY. IN FACT, CIGARETTES ARE THE NEW CURRENCY OF
ORGANIZED-CRIME--WITH PROFITS GREATER THAN THOSE FROM OTHER ILLICIT-ACTIVITY.
DURING THE HOLIDAYS, IF YOU PASS A TRACTOR-TRAILER OR A BOX-TRUCK ON THE
HIGHWAYS--ESPECIALLY 'I-95'--THERE'S A REAL CHANCE THAT ITS CARGO IS CONTRABAND CIGARETTES.
THE FIRST STEP TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM IS TO MAKE TOBACCO-TRAFFICKING MORE PAINFUL THAN A PARKING-TICKET:
VIRGINIA AND RHODE ISLAND HAVE ALREADY PASSED LAWS TO MAKE CIGARETTE-SMUGGLING A
FELONY--AND ARE PROVIDING MORE RESOURCES FOR LAW-ENFORCEMENT. OTHER STATES ALONG THE EAST COAST ARE ALSO LOOKING AT NEW LAWS AND PENALTIES.
IF, HOWEVER, WE IGNORE IT, WE INVITE A NEW CRIMINAL-CULTURE TO TAKE ROOT."
(CLOSE):
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT "THE-NEW-TOBACCO-ROAD"-DOT-COM.
