Search Warrants Net Two Arrests Plus Large Amounts of Untaxed Tobacco and Cannabis
Four locations in the Capital Region and Hudson Valley searched in ongoing investigation
For Release: Immediate,
For media inquiries only, contact: Ryan Cleveland, 518-457-7377
The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, along with New York State Police, today announced the results of four search warrants that were executed in the Capital Region and Hudson Valley.
Tax Department and State Police investigators conducted searches on Wednesday, August 17, at these four locations:
- Smoke Shop Huang Inc, 1554 Central Avenue, Albany, NY
- Smoke Shop of Mei Inc, 365 Feura Bush Road, Glenmont, NY
- Smoke Shop of Jing Inc, 214 Kingston Plaza Road, Kingston, NY
- Rolling R Inc, 564 Hoosick Street, Troy, NY
Investigators seized 74 cartons of pre-rolled untaxed cigarettes, more than 14 cartons of out-of-state untaxed cigarettes, 10,675 untaxed cigars, nearly 565 pounds of untaxed loose tobacco, 13 roll-your-own machines, and 57 pounds of illegal cannabis.
Each of the four locations also lost its license to sell cigarette and tobacco products.
Yuqing Huang, 44, was arrested and charged with Criminal Possession of Cannabis in the First Degree and Criminal Sale of Cannabis in the First Degree, both D felonies. Huang was also charged with possession of untaxed cigarettes and untaxed cigars. He’s expected to appear in Colonie Town Court on September 14, 2022.
Jing Yang, 33, was arrested and charged with possession of untaxed cigarettes. He’s expected to appear in City of Kingston Court on September 21, 2022.
“Those who evade our cigarette and tobacco tax laws deprive communities and the state of revenue needed for vital services and put honest businesses at a competitive disadvantage,” said Acting Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Amanda Hiller. “We’ll continue to work with all our law enforcement partners, including the New York State Police, to bring tax criminals to justice.”
A criminal complaint is only an accusation; the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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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