• March 29, 2024

Jail and fines for contraband offences

The owner of a beauty salon in Kenmore, Washington state, US, is to serve time in federal prison for selling contraband cigarettes sourced from Vietnam, according to an Associated Press story.

It wasn’t stated how long Han Bui would be spending in federal prison, but she has been ordered by US district judge John C. Coughenour to pay about $250,000 in tax penalties and assessments to Washington state.

The US attorney’s office said the cigarettes were sold with familiar brand names and packaging, but were made in Vietnam.

Investigators found more than 400,000 contraband cigarettes and $115,000 in cash when they searched Bui’s home and business.