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State Police Sting Uncover Eye Opening Businesses

Posted at 3:51 PM, Mar 25, 2013
and last updated 2013-03-25 17:39:24-04

MSP Unit parkedGRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Michigan State Police performed a sting of 264 small businesses like party stores and gas stations for the usual Tobacco Products Tax Act compliance operation it performs yearly.

This year, a few other things were revealed.  Such as a marijuana vending machine and bootleg DVD sales.

Here in West Michigan, troopers discovered an establishment who’s owner was selling hundreds of counterfeit name-brand items, such as hats, jackets, shoes, sunglasses, purses jewelry, even colored contacts.  The illegal merchandise had a retail value of almost $100,000.

In the statewide sting, the MSP seized $116,750 in illegal tobacco products and $169,550 in illegal non-tobacco property for a combination of $286,300.