Four Charged in Bootleg Beer Bust

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Authorities in Maryland say they've confiscated 400 cases of beer worth $10,000. They say the beer was stolen and then resold, but nobody paid taxes on it.

The state says it's time to crack down, and police agree. State Comptroller Peter Franchot says the businesses involved were able to undercut the competition by selling the beer at an extraordinarily low price, and they say it all happened at the expense of taxpayers.

"Our contention is that everybody is in this together - that they all knew it was stolen property," said Franchot.

Investigators say it works like this: Someone "overloads" the delivery truck with beer that's not scheduled for delivery. Police say the drivers sell the extra beer cheap, and then the stores who buy it resell it.

Sung Hong Im didn't want to stop to talk when our camera was rolling. Off camera he told FOX 5 he manages the Riverdale Plaza Liquor Store, and he says he didn't know the beer was stolen when he bought it from his regular delivery person.

The owner of Four Way Stop Market in Hyattsville is Song Keun Jun. He wasn't available to talk when we stopped by. Both store operators are charged with unlawfully failing to keep accurate records and unlawfully purchasing alcoholic beverages.

Jun and two drivers-- Terrell Greenfield and Larry Gross-- have been charged with five counts of felony theft. Police say cheap alcohol in large quantities leads to trouble.

"Riverdale, Brentwood, where this was being sold, a lot of alcohol related problems there. It leads to domestic violence, vagrancy, trash," said Andy Ellis of the Prince George's County Police Department.

Investigators say they're still working on this case. They expect more arrests before it's over.

FOX 5 tried to reach the drivers who've been charged, but had no luck tracking them down.