Press Release  Sharon Man Charged in Connection with Major Illegal Tobacco Operation

Boston — Attorney General Maura Healey announced today that a Sharon man has been arrested and charged in connection with an ongoing scheme to illegally sell tobacco products across the state.

Ali Houdroge, 54, was arrested Friday and charged with Tax Evasion (1 count) and Money Laundering (1 count). He was arraigned in Stoughton District Court and will appear in court on November 4 for a pre-trial conference.   

The AG’s Office alleges that the defendant ran a criminal operation out of Norwood, whereby he weekly imported tens of thousands of dollars of tobacco products from out of state to sell to retail stores in Worcester, Norfolk and Plymouth counties, without paying any taxes.

These charges are the result of an ongoing investigation into the unlicensed and illegal sale of tobacco products across the state.

Representatives from the AG’s Office, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, the Massachusetts State Police, Office of the State Treasurer, Executive Office of Public Safety and the Department of Public Health are working together on the Illegal Tobacco Task Force, which was created to combat contraband tobacco distribution throughout the state through civil and criminal investigative and enforcement actions.

These charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This matter was handled by Assistant Attorney General Edward Beagan and by Analysts with AG Healey’s Digital Evidence Lab. The Massachusetts State Police, with assistance from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, played a critical role in the investigation and apprehension of this defendant.

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