Medina man charged with tobacco-related tax crime

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Revenue announced that the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office recently charged Ahmad Mohammad Al-Hawwari, of Medina, with one felony count of possessing untaxed tobacco products.

According to the complaint, Revenue officials conducted a random tobacco retail inspection of Mr. Al-Hawwari’s business, East Side Tobacco Shop. During the inspection they allegedly found over $6,000 in tobacco products for sale without having the applicable tobacco taxes paid. Revenue officials seized the contraband tobacco products. In an interview with investigators, Mr. Al-Hawwari allegedly acknowledged that he has been in the tobacco business for a long time and was familiar with the legal requirements having been through numerous inspections. According to the complaint, Mr. Al-Hawwari had tobacco products seized on two occasions at another of his businesses located in Minneapolis in 2019. 

The felony charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in jail, a $10,000 fine, or both. Defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This is an example of the department’s ongoing efforts to uniformly enforce the state’s cigarette and tobacco laws. For more information on the tax laws related to tobacco products in Minnesota, visit our website. 

Although most taxpayers comply with tax laws voluntarily, the Minnesota Department of Revenue takes enforcement action against noncompliant taxpayers to ensure that tax laws are administered fairly.

The Minnesota Department of Revenue has a 24-hour tip line for anyone who suspects that a person or business is violating Minnesota tax laws.  Local callers may dial 651-297-5195 or call toll-free by dialing 1-800-657-3500.  Tips can also be submitted to the department via email at tax.fraud@state.mn.us. Tipsters may choose to remain anonymous. 

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