The Arkansas Tobacco Control and Central Arkansas Drug Task Force reportedly seized a shipment of illegal cigarettes allegedly being hauled by a tractor-trailer on I-40.
“This was a large vehicle. This was an 18-wheeler. There’s a very good chance that this is tied into a larger tobacco trafficking ring,” Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration spokesperson Scott Hardin reportedly said. “That’s why we have an active investigation into this specific case.”
The Task Force stopped the big rig about 25 miles east of Little Rock and conducted a roadside search. Agents reported finding 27,940 packages of untaxed cigarettes with a retail value upwards of $243,000. Along with the contraband, members of the Task Force also seized more than $4,000 in cold hard cash.
“Tobacco Control was established in ’97, so over 27 years, the two largest busts have been within the last year. It’s a big issue because tobacco laws vary so much from state to state. You could see packs of menthol cigarettes in a state where it’s banned go for $40 plus. People can turn a huge profit on them,” Hardin reportedly said.
The commercial motor vehicle operator was identified as 35-year-old Emile Bangoura. The Atlanta, Georgia, resident was reportedly arrested and held at Arkansas’ Lonoke County Detention Facility on charges that include possession of untaxed tobacco. According to reports, the cigarette seizure is the second-largest by the Arkansas Tobacco Control. The outfit made its largest bust in 2023, seizing more than 32,000 packs of untaxed cigarettes outside Carlisle, AK.
Sidelined Texas Trucker Rams DPS in Fatal Incident
After a Texas trucker was denied his CDL renewal, he allegedly crashed a semi-truck into the Department of Public Safety (DPS) office in Brenham, Texas. The crash reportedly killed one person, injuring eight and sending five to the hospital.
“The stolen 18-wheeler took a hard right turn” into the building, DPS Sgt. Justin Reese reportedly said.
A suspect in the fatal impact was identified as 42-year-old Clenard Parker. According to Reese, Parker was informed that he was not eligible to renew his CDL, sidelining him from earning a living hauling freight. After the initial impact, the truck driver attempted to back up and ram the facility a second time. First responders jumped into action to prevent what might have resulted in a total collapse of the facility. The DPS facility issues passenger vehicle driver’s licenses as well as CDLs.
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