TRENTON -Attorney General Peter C. Harvey
and Vaughn L. McKoy, Director, Division
of Criminal Justice, today announced
that an ongoing investigation targeting
the unlawful sale of alcohol, wine, and
beer by a Korean-based liquor warehouse
in Camden County has resulted in the confiscation
of more than 20,300 cases of untaxed alcoholic
beverages and cigarettes. As a result
of the issuance of court-authorized search
warrants, two individuals associated with
the illegal operation have been charged
with the unlawful sale and distribution
of alcoholic beverages.
Director McKoy said the ongoing investigation
is being coordinated by the New Jersey
Division of Criminal Justice in conjunction
with the Division
of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC)
and the Division
of Taxation. The investigation targeted
the wholesale activities of a Korean-based
warehouse engaged in the business of selling
untaxed alcohol, beer and wine to various
restaurants and retail outlets in the
South Jersey/Pennsylvania area. It is
charged that the warehouse operation,
identified as JWTA, Inc., located at 1641
Route 70 East, Cherry Hill, Camden County,
was operating without obtaining a wholesale
license which would permit the legal sale
of alcoholic beverages to wholesale and
retail outlets.
“This
raid and the confiscation of thousands
of cases of untaxed alcohol and cigarettes
sends a loud and clear message that the
Division of Criminal Justice, along with
the ABC and the Division of Taxation,
will investigate, uncover, arrest and
prosecute individuals who are circumventing
the ABC licensing and taxing authorities
for personal gain,” Attorney General
Harvey said.
"The
Treasury Department has supported the
Taxation Division's efforts to enforce
New Jersey's tax laws through civil means.
We greatly appreciate the assistance and
cooperation from the Division of Criminal
Justice when civil matters become criminal
acts," said State Treasurer John
E. McCormac.
According to Criminal Justice Director
McKoy, the undercover aspect of the investigation
ended with the Jan. 20 law enforcement
raid on the Route 70 warehouse and the
confiscation of more than 20,300 cases
of untaxed liquor, beer, sake, wine, and
assorted other alcoholic beverages and
cigarettes. While conducting court-authorized
search and seizure warrants, State Investigators
from the Division of Criminal Justice
charged Kye C. Maeng, 51, Dartmouth Road,
Cherry Hill (identified in official documents
as a part owner of JWTA, Inc.) and Toyanhee
Cho (age and address unavailable pending
positive identification), with the unlawful
possession, sale and/or distribution of
alcoholic beverages without a license.
The Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control
determined that JWTA, Inc. applied for
the transfer of a New Jersey Plenary Wholesale
License in July, 2001. The ABC denied
the application on the grounds that a
state issued wholesale license is not
transferable. Currently, JWTA is unlicenced
and cannot legally sell, service or distribute
alcoholic beverages to New Jersey wholesale
or retail establishments. ABC Director
Jerry Fischer noted that ABC civil investigators
and auditors and state investigators with
law enforcement authority will continue
to target the illegal sale of alcoholic
beverages.
Attorney General Harvey noted that the
Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control
and the Division of Criminal Justice has
implemented an enforcement initiative
in concert with state, county and municipal
law enforcement and regulatory agencies
targeting the unlicenced and illegal sale
of alcoholic beverages, underage drinking,
and other violations of New Jersey alcoholic
beverage laws and regulations.
Harvey and McKoy credited law enforcement
personnel, civil investigators and auditors
from the Division of Criminal Justice,
Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control,
and the Division of Taxation. for their
dedicated work in pursuing the continuing
investigation. Assistant Attorney General
David Brody, Supervisor, Organized Crime
& Racketeering Bureau, Deputy Chief
State Investigator’s Carol Brennan
and Michael Tarantino assigned to the
Division of Criminal Justice Major Crimes
Unit, prepared search and seizure warrants
and will assist in presenting the investigation
to the State Grand Jury. Supervising State
Investigator Michael Royle and State Investigator
Brian R. Woolston conducted the investigation.
In the interest of investigative security
and pursuant to established court requirements,
the Attorney General’s Office, the
Division of Criminal Justice and the Division
of Alcoholic Beverage Control are limited
in discussing specific details regarding
the ongoing investigation and the alleged
activities. All persons charged in criminal
complaints are presumed innocent unless
and until proven guilty in a court of
law.