Legal to be middle man?

[rabbi]

Hello, I am a New York State resident. First time poster..

If Joe pays me $1000, I forward $500 of it to someone outside the country (and keep the rest) and arrange forthe person ship to something to Joe that is illegal to import, have I committed a crime? Basically I middle man what would normally be considered an illegal importation, but never have posession of the illegal product myself.

 

[MoneyShot]

Sounds like grounds for conspiracy charges to me. Yep, you're in just as deep as Joe is. Anyone else care to add to this? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

 

[outonbail]

Hello, I am a New York State resident. First time poster..

If Joe pays me $1000, I forward $500 of it to someone outside the country (and keep the rest) and arrange forthe person ship to something to Joe that is illegal to import, have I committed a crime? Basically I middle man what would normally be considered an illegal importation, but never have posession of the illegal product myself.

So your asking if it is all right for you to import something, which would be illegal for everyone else in the country to import? Are there any other laws which don't apply to you, or is this the only one you believe your the exception to?

I'd say this is a close to a no brainer as they come, since arranging for something to ship to a destination in our country, is by definition, importing! So regardless of where you arrange to receive the item, or who ends up receiving it, you are still the importer and playing hot potato with the item and/or paperwork will not change that fact.

 

[CdwJava]

You face potential state and federal criminal charges. Specifically WHAT charges would depend on what you were importing and what your involvement was.

Yes, it's a crime.

- Carl