ANNAPOLIS, Md. (May 11, 2007) -- Comptroller Peter Franchot today announced that his field enforcement agents, in cooperation with the Maryland State Police and Princess Anne Police Department, seized $4,000 in contraband alcohol from an unlicensed Somerset County pub.
At approximately 10:45 a.m. today, agents executed a warrant at Dilligaf's Pub, located at 12123 Somerset Drive in Princess Anne. Law enforcement officials found the establishment operating without a valid alcoholic beverage license or the necessary business licenses.
"Businesses that blatantly disregard the law will not be tolerated," said Comptroller Franchot. "My agents will continue to enforce Maryland's alcohol laws to protect those who operate properly."
Earlier this year, Dilligaf's personnel had been warned by local liquor board officials to obtain a current license to sell alcohol but failed to do so. Comptroller's agents, working undercover, purchased alcoholic beverages at the pub on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. During today's raid, agents seized a total of 150 containers of distilled spirits, 30 containers of wine and approximately 55 cases and five kegs of beer, worth about $4,000.
The current owner/operator, Erin Marie Greene, 29, of Princess Anne, Md., faces charges of unlawfully selling alcoholic beverages without the required license, unlawfully possessing alcoholic beverages for the purpose of sale, unlawfully suffering the sale of alcoholic beverages without the required license, unlawfully suffering the possession of alcoholic beverages for purpose of sale, unlawfully operating a business without a valid trader's license and unlawfully operating a restaurant without a valid restaurant license.
All charges are misdemeanors with the alcoholic beverage violations carrying a $1,000 and/or two year imprisonment possibility for each charge. The other license violations have a potential fine not exceeding $300, or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days. In Fiscal Year 2007, Comptroller's enforcement agents have charged 70 people with alcohol violations and have confiscated alcoholic beverages valued in excess of $171,000.
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CONTACT: Christine Duray, 410-260-6346 (office), 443-336-0215 (cell)
