Brooklyn Park man charged with tobacco-related tax crime

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Revenue announced that the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office recently charged Mohammad Fahmae Wazwaz, of Brooklyn Park, with one felony count of purchasing cigarette or tobacco products from an unlicensed distributor.

According to the complaint, Revenue officials conducted a standard tobacco retail inspection of Mr. Wazwaz’s Lake City business, Lakeshore Smoke Shop, Inc., in June 2024. During the inspection they allegedly found nicotine vape products that were purchased from an unlicensed distributor and other products that did not have an invoice to prove that the tobacco tax had been paid. Revenue officials seized the products and opened an investigation into Mr. Wazwaz’s Brooklyn Park business, Brooklyn Smokes Inc. Through banking records, department investigators found that Mr. Wazwaz made multiple purchases of vape products from an unlicensed distributor allowing him to avoid paying the tobacco tax that was due on those products. Mr. Wazwaz allegedly owes over $9,800 in tobacco tax. 

Each tax-related felony charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. Defendants are presumed 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 the department’s 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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