Oregon Department of Justice

Oregon's Tobacco Compliance Task Force Assists Federal Officials In Investigation Into Unlawful Tobacco Sales

On Thursday, August 17, 2006, Oregon's Tobacco Compliance Task Force (TCTF) joined federal law enforcement officials in executing a search warrant at the Li'l Brown Smoke Shack in Yakima, Washington.

Agents searched for evidence related to violations of Oregon's Tobacco Delivery Sales laws, efforts to defraud the State of Oregon of tobacco tax revenues, and related federal crimes.  Oregon's Tobacco Delivery Sales laws were enacted in 2003 to aid in the collection of lost tobacco tax revenues and force Internet tobacco retailers to verify the age of their customer.  Based on prior investigations, TCTF believes the state loses millions of dollars in unpaid tobacco taxes each year.

The Li'l Brown Smoke Shop (LBSS) is a nationwide distributor of non-tax paid tobacco products through retail, Internet and mail-order sales.

TCTF has investigated, prosecuted and convicted six Oregon tobacco products distributors for sales of contraband tobacco products purchased from LBSS. Additional cases are pending.

Oregon's Tobacco Compliance Task Force is a collaboration of the Departments of Justice and Revenue and the State Police. It was established in 2001 by the Oregon Legislature and is dedicated to enforcing Oregon laws related to the sale and distribution of tobacco products.