Virginia man admits to cigarette smuggling charges

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Udayappan Subramanian, of Haymarket, Virginia has admitted to unlawful cigarette smuggling, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced today.

Subramanian, age 41, pled guilty to one count of “Trafficking of Contraband Cigarettes.” He transporting large quantities of contraband cigarettes across state lines for redistribution and sale.  The cigarettes were acquired in Virginia, where the tax rate for cigarettes is one of the lowest in the nation, and sold in other states, including New York, which has one of the nation’s highest tax rates.  The cigarettes were possessed and transported in West Virginia.

Subramanian faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Stein is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. Homeland Security Investigations, the Frederick County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, and the West Virginia State Police led the inquiry.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.