Lawmakers To Consider Measures To Toughen Cigarette Trafficking Penalties

When Virginia lawmakers meet  for the 2013 legislative session, they will consider measures to increase penalties for illegal cigarette trafficking. During the 2012 legislative session, the General Assembly asked the Virginia State Crime Commission to study the practice and make recommendations before the start of the 2013 session. The panel voted to keep the offense…

52 Convicted After Massive Crime Sweep In Fairfax, Prince Williams Counties

Fifty two people were convicted on guns and weapons charges after a crime sweep throughout a year. According to the Department of Justice, fifty-one of those indicted pleaded guilty in federal court and the remaining person pleaded guilty in state court. All of those had been charged in May in a federal indictment after officials…

Drug Defendants Released After Chemist Charged With Lying About Drug Samples

More than a dozen drug defendants have been released and three state officials have resigned in the wake of charges a 34- year-old Massachusetts chemist lied about drug sample results. Annie Dookhan was arrested Friday for allegedly faking drug results, forging paperwork and mixing samples at a state police lab. Officials estimate Dookhan handled more…

Study Shows Cigarette Trafficking Very Lucrative

The Virginia State Crime Commission was told Wednesday that smuggling cigarettes has become so lucrative, organized criminals and many former drug dealers are getting in on the act. During the legislative session last winter, the General Assembly told the commission to study the practice and make recommendations before the 2013 session commenced. With that session…