Page 36 - PCPA Winter 2023 Bulletin Magazine

HOW ILLICIT TRADE
IN TOBACCO
PRODUCTS MAKES
AMERICA LESS SAFE.
The illegal tobacco trade is a substantial threat to the security and prosperity of American communities,
though for most people it doesn’t seem that way. The perception that illegal tobacco trafficking
is a petty crime is exactly why it is a major source of funding for sophisticated criminal and terror
organizations—it is out of sight and out of mind to most. Illegal goods with low enforcement risk
that earn high profits—like illicit tobacco—help criminals fund a web of nefarious activities, spurring
violence and instability within our towns and cities. In doing so, they rob American taxpayers
of billions in tax revenue, taking money that could be used to fund law enforcement and putting
it in the pockets of the criminals they’re fighting.
Pennsylvania’s law enforcement community works tirelessly to confront the scourge of illegal trade,
but no agency or company can do it alone. Through public-private partnerships, we can cooperatively
implement meaningful, long-term solutions against illegal trade.
Only by working together, can we effectively combat illegal trade and related crimes.
HOW ILLICIT TRADE
IN TOBACCO
PRODUCTS MAKES
AMERICA LESS SAFE.
The illegal tobacco trade is a substantial threat to the security and prosperity of American communities,
though for most people it doesn’t seem that way. The perception that illegal tobacco trafficking
is a petty crime is exactly why it is a major source of funding for sophisticated criminal and terror
organizations—it is out of sight and out of mind to most. Illegal goods with low enforcement risk
that earn high profits—like illicit tobacco—help criminals fund a web of nefarious activities, spurring
violence and instability within our towns and cities. In doing so, they rob American taxpayers
of billions in tax revenue, taking money that could be used to fund law enforcement and putting
it in the pockets of the criminals they’re fighting.
Pennsylvania’s law enforcement community works tirelessly to confront the scourge of illegal trade,
but no agency or company can do it alone. Through public-private partnerships, we can cooperatively
implement meaningful, long-term solutions against illegal trade.
Only by working together, can we effectively combat illegal trade and related crimes.