Possession of more than 100 original packages of contraband cigarettes; penalty

With the exception of licensed distributors and transporters, as defined in Section 9c of this Act, possessing unstamped original packages of cigarettes, and licensed distributors possessing original packages of cigarettes that bear a tax stamp of another state or taxing jurisdiction, anyone possessing or having possessed contraband cigarettes contained in original packages is liable to pay, to the Department for deposit in the Tax Compliance and Administration Fund, a penalty of $25 for each such package of cigarettes in excess of 100 packages, unless reasonable cause can be established by the person upon whom the penalty is imposed. This penalty is in addition to the taxes imposed by this Act. Reasonable cause shall be determined in each situation in accordance with rules adopted by the Department. The provisions of the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act do not apply to this Section. (Source: P.A. 100-940, eff. 8-17-18.)