WNY link to contaband cigarette case

SEATTLE, WA - Seven people are facing charges in a contraband cigarette case centering on a smoke shop in Arlington.

Last week a grand jury in Seattle indicted Rick Conn, Jay D. Silverman, Carol M. Silverman and Matthew M. Cunningham. They are charged with conspiracy to traffic in contraband cigarette and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments in the sale of untaxed cigarettes to the Blue Stilly Smoke Shop.

Last month the grand jury returned a superseding indictment against Arthur Montour, Peter Montour, Kenneth Hill and Native Wholesale Supply of Gowanda and Perrysburg, N.Y. They are charged with conspiracy and trafficking in contraband cigarettes.

Native Wholesale also is being sued by Idaho over cigarette shipments to reservation smoke shops in that state. A Native Wholesale receptionist said no one was available to comment Wednesday.