Westborough Man Arrested for Trafficking in Contraband Smokeless Tobacco

BOSTON – A Westborough man was arrested today for trafficking in contraband smokeless tobacco.

Muhammad Mushtaq Balaparaya, 58, was charged in an indictment unsealed today with two counts of trafficking in contraband smokeless tobacco. According to the indictment, between December 2014 and October 2016, and again between July 2017 and April 2018, Balaparaya transported more than 500 units of contraband smokeless tobacco in violation of federal law. 

The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000,\ and restitution. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly Brandy, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Greg A. Friedholm and John T. Mulcahy of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office are prosecuting the case.