Rome police seize 185 cartons of untaxed cigarettes

The Rome Police Department seized 185 cartons of untaxed cigarettes from the Rome Habib Market following the execution of a search warrant on Monday, according to a statement.

Members of the Rome Police Department Special Investigations Unit, Street Crimes Unit, Patrol Division, and Forensics Unit executed a search warrant at Rome Habib Market, 301 Lawrence Street, regarding the possession and sale of unstamped/untaxed cigarettes.

Police said they seized 185 Cartons and 187 loose packs of unstamped/untaxed cigarettes were seized along with a quantity of US Currency.

Store employee Eissa Mohamed Ahme Alsamat was arrested for Possession of 30,000 unstamped/untaxed cigarettes or more, a class D felony, and subsequently held pending arraignment in Rome City Court.

In May and November 2023, the Rome Police Department executed search warrants on this same location, both of which resulted in charges of Possession of 10,000 unstamped/untaxed cigarettes or more, a class E felony.

As a result of these subsequent investigations and the City of Rome Code of Ordinances, the location’s certificate of occupancy has been revoked for one year.

The Rome Police Department was assisted by the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Rome City Police seize 185 cartons of untaxed cigarettes, money