LAUREL, Del.- Authorities say a traffic stop in western Sussex County led to the arrests of two men charged with transporting untaxed tobacco and related offenses.


On Monday, March 12, 58-year-old Amiran Nishianidze of New York was stopped by a Delaware State Police trooper for following too closely on Route 13 near Laurel. During the stop, an investigation revealed that Nishianidze was in possession of a significant quantity of cigarettes.
Delaware Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement agents were notified and responded. According to investigators, the agents seized more than 700 cartons of cigarettes valued at $87,000. The men are accused of purchasing the cigarettes in Virginia with the intention of reselling them in New York. They were charged with possession of untaxed tobacco, tax evasion and second-degree conspiracy. Nishianidze was also charged with following too close.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement was also notified and a detainer was placed against both men pending deportation. Both men were ordered held on $4,300 secured bond.
http://www.wboc.com/story/17149365/2...tobacco-in-del