"If you come to Henrico County or central Virginia to engage in this type of organized crime, we will come after you," said Henrico Police Chief Humberto Cardounel, Jr.



Almost half the of the suspects are behind bars, but nearly two dozen are on the run. Like Sid Tfeil, who according to several news agencies is trying to seek asylum in Canada.



More than 20 agencies, including local, state and federal law enforcement, as well as businesses were involved in the investigation. Officials have determined that this was an "organized criminal enterprise."



"I believe it's perhaps the largest case I'm aware of anywhere in the region," said Chief Cardounel.



Police say the suspects involved in this case used fraudulent documentation to create 29 businesses in the Richmond area, and officials say those businesses would then be utilized to buy tax-exempt cigarettes in large quantities. Authorities say the cigarettes would then be transported out of state and then be resold for a "substantial profit."



"Often times they'll go to a location of where a business license is as well and find that it's actually a vacant lot or a storage unit, and not truly a business," said Deputy Chief Mike Palkovics with Henrico Police Department's Investigative Bureau.



Police say the investigation involves over 600,000 cartons with an estimated value of $30,000,000.



The following agencies have contributed in the investigation:



Federal:



Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms - Richmond

Federal Bureau of Investigation - Richmond

Federal Bureau of Investigation - Washington

Homeland Security Investigations - Richmond

Homeland Security Investigations - Washington

Internal Revenue Service - Richmond

U.S. Department of State

State:



Maryland Comptroller's Office

Maryland State Police



Virginia Office of the Attorney General

Virginia Department of Taxation

Virginia State Corporation of Commission

Virginia State Police

Local:



Albemarle County Police Department

Chesterfield County Police Department

Colonial Heights Police Department

Fairfax County Police Department

Hanover County Sheriff's Office

Richmond City Police Department

Corporate:



Altria - Brand & Trade Channel Integrity Unit