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June 17, 2009

Cigarette arrests raises community questions

By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG

PLATTSBURGH — After hearing about recent arrests for possession of untaxed cigarettes, State Police have been inundated with calls about the New York law.

Earlier this week, four men were arrested on felony charges after they were allegedly found in possession of dozens of cartons of untaxed cigarettes.

The busts stem from separate traffic stops on Military Turnpike in Altona on Monday.

During one stop, Brooklyn residents David Arazi, 29, and Herbert Rivers, 56, were allegedly found with more than 2,300 cartons of untaxed smokes, Plattsburgh-based State Police said Wednesday.

The other set of arrests involved Johnstown residents Gary Henry, 53, and Everett Pulver, 63, who were allegedly caught with more than 100 cartons of untaxed cigarettes.

After fielding a number of calls from local residents, State Police wanted to be sure the public was clear on the law in regard to cigarettes.

The possession of more than 30,000 untaxed cigarettes, or 75 cartons, can yield a felony charge under New York law, police said, and having more than two cartons, or 400 untaxed cigarettes, can net a misdemeanor.

Residents can possess any amount of legally taxed cigarettes.

All four men will reappear in court at a later date to face the allegations.

E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at: avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com

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