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Tobacco license denied for Ming Yang store
The Department of Commerce has denied Ming Yang Supermarket’s application for a tobacco control license.
In a statement, Commerce Secretary Mark O. Rabauliman said the decision was made based on an “investigative report and findings” by the department’s Alcohol Beverage and Tobacco Control Division.
The statement also said “from a recent notice of denial of application served to Ming Yang Supermarket, there are several infractions detailing the purpose to the disapproval of the application, which includes the establishment operating and selling tobacco products without a valid license, importation of undeclared tobacco products, in addition to a review of the applicant’s past business conduct.”
Ming Yang Supermarket is entitled to a review of the decision through administrative hearing.
“I want to make it clear that there are laws, rules, and regulations to follow and I encourage and respectfully advise any interested person or entity who wish to engage in the manufacture, importation, distribution, and retail sales of alcohol and tobacco production to first obtain a license,” Rabauliman said.
The department earlier issued a memorandum for all licensed wholesalers and distributors regarding the denial of application, instructing these companies not to sell or distribute tobacco products to Ming Yang Supermarket.
Ming Yang Supermarket has been involved in unlawful practices. In November 2014, the CNMI’s Division of Customers Services seized a total of 234 cases of liquor and 1,180 cartons of contraband cigarettes that were undeclared or smuggled inside a cargo container from the Philippines.
This resulted to the arrest of Gui Han Xu of Ming Yang Supermarket for importation of contraband and conspiracy, the Department of Commerce said.
