In order for New York State to collect the correct amount of taxes on cigarette sales, the New York State Cigarette Tax Law requires vendors who sell tobacco products to be registered and only sell properly “stamped” cigarettes.
Stores can sell packages of cigarettes only if they bear a valid New York State tax stamp.
Suffolk County Police arrested a store Clerk in Coram for possessing and selling unstamped cigarettes.
Sixth Precinct officers placed 37-year-old Yousef Qaid Al Sanam under arrest and charged the Brooklyn man with Possession or Selling Unstamped Cigarettes, a violation of the New York State Tax Law, which is an “A” misdemeanor.
Police also confiscated a large number of flavored vape products and cannabis, a stun gun, and 50 cartons of unstamped cigarettes from Sky High Convenience Smoke Shop, located on Middle Country Road in Coram.
The store was immediately shut down by the The Town of Brookhaven Building Inspector who condemned the building. It remains closed pending repairs.
The raid involved the Suffolk County Police Department, Suffolk County Health Department, Town of Brookhaven investigators, Town of Brookhaven Building Inspector, and the Town of Brookhaven Fire Department.