(35 ILCS 135/8a) Sec. 8a. Contraband cigarettes. Whenever any person obtains original packages of cigarettes from an unlicensed in-state or out-of-state distributor or person, a prima facie presumption shall arise that such original packages of cigarettes are contraband and are possessed or were possessed by such person in violation of the provisions of this Act and subject to the penalties imposed by Sections 25a and 25b. Invoices or other documents kept in the normal course of business in the possession of a person reflecting purchases of original packages of cigarettes from an unlicensed in-state or out-of-state distributor or person or invoices or other documents kept in the normal course of business obtained by the Department from an in-state or out-of-state distributor or person, are sufficient to raise the presumption that such original packages of cigarettes are contraband and are possessed, or were possessed, by such person in violation of the provisions of this Act and the person is subject to the penalties imposed by Sections 25a and 25b. If a presumption is raised, the Department may, in addition to the penalties imposed by Sections 25a and 25b and any other civil or criminal penalties provided for in this Act, assess tax, penalty, and interest on the original packages of cigarettes.
(Source: P.A. 100-940, eff. 8-17-18.) |