3 Plead Quilty In Zig-Zag Papers Scheme

[matcom]

<snip>

Three men pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday in what the government described as a large-scale international scheme to manufacture and distribute counterfeit Zig-Zag cigarette papers.

The men -- brothers Tarek Makki, 40; Ali Makki, 26, and their cousin, Adham Mackie, 38, all of Dearborn -- pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Avern Cohn.

Tarek Makki and Adham Mackie are in custody. Ali Makki is free on bond.

Tarek Makki and Adham Mackie, the alleged ringleaders, pleaded guilty to conspiracy, trafficking in counterfeit goods, money laundering and making false statements in federal court in Dallas, where they insisted in 2001 that they had stopped smuggling counterfeit cigarette papers. They are facing 3- to 4-year prison sentences and fines of up to $500,000.


Ali Makki pleaded guilty to conspiracy, money laundering and making false declarations to the court in Texas. He is facing six months to 12 months in prison and a $20,000 fine.


No sentencing date was set.

http://www.freep.com/news/locway/zigzag6w_20051006.htm

[eyesroll]

1. Is there something I don't know about rolling papers?

Why in blazes would anyone bother to counterfeit those?

[William Bloode]

2. Thats what i was thinking.

Am i missing something here? Zig-Zag is a known name and all, but not like pricey or anything, so wheres the profit motive? Why would you counterfeit and sell something thats a normally priced item? Almost all general use rolling papers are priced the same, with the exception of flavored, designer etc.

[Hugin]

3. Dang, I'd better rethink my Charmin(tm) counterfeit scheme.

*Makes note to self*

[kick-ass-bob]

4. You and me both, brother.

I was working on Bounty.

x(

[Arkana]

5. WTF?

Counterfeit rolling papers? Is there something intrinsically valuable about rolling papers?????

[underpants]

6. Oh the Dearborn Makki's and Mackie

Good I didn't want to get them confused.