Naugatuck Men Charged In CT’s Largest Illegal Tobacco Distribution Bust: Officials

BRIDGEPORT, CT — The Department of Revenue Services announced the arrest of 10 people following a five-month investigation that led to the state’s largest illegal tobacco distribution bust, according to officials. In addition to the arrests, authorities seized more than $50,000 in cash and $234,000 in contraband tobacco from a Bridgeport tobacco wholesaler, according to Commissioner Kevin B. Sullivan.

The operation was conducted by the agency’s Criminal Investigations Division (CID) in cooperation with the Bridgeport Police Department.

“We are very serious about tax fraud,” Sullivan said in a statement. “I am pleased that our special agents shut down a very lucrative operation that was a significant distributor of untaxed tobacco products throughout Fairfield and New Haven Counties over several years. This action has put an end to what has been an ongoing crime involving as much as $250,000 in untaxed tobacco provided by the distributor and sold by local stores each month.”

Commissioner Kevin B. Sullivan / contributed photo

KDV Discounts, LLC, located at 67A Poland Street in Bridgeport, was raided by DRS agents armed with a search warrant.

The owner, Pavan M. Vaswani of West Haven, was arrested and charged with possession/sale of untaxed tobacco and conspiracy to possession/sale of untaxed Tobacco.

Officials say Vaswani’s illegal tobacco distribution ring sold in excess of $13 million in untaxed tobacco to approximately 450 retail locations in Connecticut, which equates to nearly $6 million in outstanding excise and sales tax. KDV Discounts was distributing non-taxed tobacco products purchased in Pennsylvania and Illinois, according to authorities.

Vaswami was arrested at KDV Discounts in Bridgeport as he was unloading untaxed tobacco products purchased in Pennsylvania. Agents seized a delivery van and $50,000 in cash.

Contributed photo

DRS Special Agents also arrested the following additional KVD Discounts employees and store owners for possession/sale of untaxed tobacco and conspiracy to possess/sell untaxed tobacco: Carlos Beras of Waterbury, Sayed Ahmed of West Haven, Sheik Hossain of West Haven, Joshua Ortiz of Shelton, Quendri Ortiz of Bridgeport, Mohamed Farook of Naugatuck, Arti Patel of Wallingford, Prashant Patel of Naugatuck, and Abdulkadar Shaikh of Stamford.

If convicted, the arrests could lead to penalties ranging from fines up to $2,000, up to two years in prison, or both, as well as sales permit revocation and fines, according to officials.

Authorities say additional arrests and civil enforcement may result from the investigation.

“Our message is clear: The distribution and sale of untaxed tobacco products is a crime,” Sullivan said. “We will not allow criminals to profit from these illegal activities, unfairly compete with law-abiding businesses and steal from all the other taxpayers in our state.”

Written by Vincent Salzo (Patch Staff)

(Editor's Note: This story first ran previously but here it is again in case you missed it.)