Three Indicted for Contraband Cigarette Sales

Source from:  Turnto10.com The Associated Press November 14, 2008 11/17/2008

Money-making plans for three men went up in smoke after they were indicted for selling tens of thousands of contraband cigarettes. Federal prosecutors said 38-year-old Hussam Ghanam, of Pawtucket, and 45-year-old Mohamed Amir Tatari, of Johnston, conspired to sell 155 cartons of cigarettes to undercover federal agents without the proper Rhode Island state tax stamps. A separate indictment accused 43-year-old Bassam Khalil, of Cumberland, of similar charges. Charges against all three were unsealed after the last of the men was arraigned Friday. An attorney for Khalil did not return a phone message, and lawyers for the other two men declined to comment. Enditem