Three indicted for contraband cigarette sales

PROVIDENCE—Money-making plans for three men went up in smoke after they were indicted for selling tens of thousands of contraband cigarettes.

Federal prosecutors said 38-year-old Hussam Ghanam, of Pawtucket, and 45-year-old Mohamed Amir Tatari, of Johnston, conspired to sell 155 cartons of cigarettes to undercover federal agents without the proper Rhode Island state tax stamps.

A separate indictment accused 43-year-old Bassam Khalil, of Cumberland, of similar charges.

Charges against all three were unsealed after the last of the men was arraigned Friday. An attorney for Khalil did not return a phone message, and lawyers for the other two men declined to comment.