Nearly 900 Cartons of Illegal Cigarettes Seized Across Onondaga County
Tax Department investigators, along with federal partners, execute multiple search warrants throughout Cicero, Liverpool, and Syracuse
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The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance today announced the seizure of nearly 900 cartons of untaxed cigarettes in Onondaga County.
Investigators seized the contraband after searching 10 retail locations within the county on March 11, 2021. In addition to charges for the illegal possession of contraband cigarettes, the locations below face additional penalties, including revocation of the Certificate of Registration required to sell tobacco products.
“Our investigators are working statewide to enforce the law and level the playing field for law-abiding business owners, who are put at a competitive disadvantage by the illegal sale of untaxed cigarettes,” said New York State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Michael Schmidt. “We’ll continue to work with all our partners in law enforcement to root out tax evasion and expose illegal business operations.”
Illicit cigarettes were confiscated from the following locations:
Smoke Line Convenience Inc.
527 Charles Ave., Syracuse
Park Deli & Grocery LLC
900 Park Ave., Syracuse
Wolf Street Market LLC
339 Wolf St., Syracuse
20/20 Tobacco Shop & Conv.
3100 James St., Syracuse
Midler Market Inc
3009 James St Syracuse
Mattydale Cigar &Tobacco LLC
2223 Brewerton Rd., Syracuse
Mattydale Express/Grand Ave
2109 Brewerton Rd., Syracuse
Cicero Smoke Shop Inc
8033 Brewerton Rd., Cicero
GFM & Son, Inc.
1202 Willis Ave., Syracuse
Wolf Street Market faces additional penalties for not having the proper registration to legally sell tobacco products. Investigators also seized 66 cartons of untaxed cigarettes from a storage unit located at 7266 Henry Clay Boulevard in Liverpool. In total, more than 743 cartons of untaxed cigarettes were seized from these locations.
Additionally, a related search warrant executed with the DeWitt Police Department at Xpress Mart, LLC, 601 W. Manlius Street, East Syracuse, uncovered more than 106 cartons of untaxed cigarettes.
Report fraud
You can report tax evasion and fraud online at the Tax Department's website or by phone at 518-457-0578. The information is kept confidential. The Tax Department promptly reviews each complaint and takes corrective action when appropriate.
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