Cook County Department of Revenue (CCDOR) agents, working with the Sheriff’s Police, raided a business in Skokie this week and seized over 1,500 packs of unstamped cigarettes found in three hidden compartments. The operation at Skokie Discount Tobacco, Inc., located at 4019 Oakton Street, resulted in fines exceeding $47,000 and criminal charges against two suspects due to the large amount of contraband.
According to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, the confiscation is believed to be the largest this year. “Beneath floorboards, concealed by hidden compartments or behind false walls accessed by garage door openers, Cook County Department of Revenue investigators have seen it all when it comes to hiding illegal cigarettes,” Preckwinkle said. “Through determined enforcement efforts, our Revenue Department is combatting a sly and sophisticated tobacco black market.”
Preckwinkle also acknowledged the cooperation between CCDOR and the Sheriff’s Office. “We are grateful for the Sheriff’s assistance in these efforts to ensure that businesses throughout Cook County are compliant with our ordinances and properly remitting required payments,” she said.
The raid followed a tip to CCDOR. An undercover investigator purchased an unstamped pack on October 19. When investigators returned, they observed a store clerk closing a hidden wall compartment containing illegal cigarettes. After the business owner arrived, authorities used a remote control device to open the compartment and recovered 1,258 packs. Another remote opened a second compartment near the cash register holding an additional 303 packs.
Under county law, businesses face a $1,000 fine for possessing up to 40 unstamped cigarette packs and $25 per pack for each additional one. Skokie Discount Tobacco was fined accordingly and received extra penalties for previous violations and concealment.
Over recent years, CCDOR has increased tobacco inspections from about 4,800 in 2013 to over 10,000 in 2016. The number of citations issued has nearly doubled during this period. In total for 2017, Cook County expects to collect $127 million from cigarette taxes and has confiscated more than 12,800 unstamped cigarettes.
Residents can report suspected illegal cigarette sales through the CCDOR website or by calling their hotline. The department has also expanded collaboration with other agencies for field surveillance and online monitoring aimed at reducing illegal tobacco activity.
