*** EDITOR'S NOTE: PHOTOS OF SEIZED ALCOHOL AVAILABLE
ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 18, 2007) - Agents for Comptroller Peter Franchot today announced the recent confiscation of over 500 bottles of untaxed alcoholic beverages valued at more than $3,000 from an unlicensed Baltimore County man. The bust brings the total amount of illegal alcohol seized to nearly $175,000 for the fiscal year.
"People who 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."
Late on Thursday, agents received a tip about alleged illegal alcohol sales in the area. The tipster alerted officials about a flyer offering untaxed beverages for sale. After contacting the seller, agents, acting in an undercover capacity, met the bootlegger on Friday, at approximately 1:15 p.m., to inspect and possibly purchase the alcohol.
The seller and the Comptroller's law enforcement officials met at a parking lot in Woodlawn where agents purchased a large quantity of beer that the suspect brought in his vehicle. The seller also produced samples of wine and distilled spirits that he had available for sale at his home. The suspect invited agents to his home to inspect and possibly purchase the other beverages. Upon arrival at the home, agents were shown the additional alcohol and agreed to, and actually purchased, a case of wine before identifying themselves and arresting the individual.
Agents arrested Julius Onyz Uwancz, 52, of Gwynn Oak, Md., at his home and seized 88 bottles of distilled spirits, 204 bottles of wine and 252 bottles of beer. Uwancz faces charges of unlawfully selling alcoholic beverages without the required license, a misdemeanor that carries a fine of $1,000 and/or 2 years in jail; unlawfully possessing and selling untaxed alcoholic beverages, a misdemeanor that carries a fine of $10,000 and imprisonment not to exceed 5 years or both; and unlawfully doing business in the state without the required trader's license, a misdemeanor carrying a $300 fine and/or 30 days in jail.
So far this fiscal year, enforcement agents have arrested 72 individuals for alcoholic beverage violations and have seized 276 gallons of wine, 205 gallons of distilled spirits and over 5,000 containers of beer, valued at nearly $175,000.
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*** EDITOR'S NOTE: PHOTOS OF SEIZED ALCOHOL AVAILABLE
CONTACT: Christine Duray, 410-260-6346 (office), 443-336-0215 (cell)
