SC Probe Leads to 9 Arrests in Illegal Tobacco Bust

MAULDIN, S.C. (AP) _ Federal authorities have busted a ring of conspirators they say illegally purchased and sold untaxed cigarettes totaling millions of dollars in an operation spanning from Virginia to South Carolina. Prosecutors say agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives rounded up several men in northwestern South Carolina this week. Prosecutors say the nine suspects acquired untaxed cigarettes in Virginia and transported them to South Carolina for distribution. Authorities have been investigating the ring for three years. In that time, they say the suspects paid undercover officers about $20 million for untaxed cigarettes. The suspects face charges ranging from conspiracy to traffic in contraband cigarettes, money laundering and sale of stolen goods. It was not clear Thursday if they had attorneys.