Brooklyn man arrested for selling unstamped cigarettes on Long Island: SCPD
LONG ISLAND, N.Y. (PIX11) – A Brooklyn man was arrested for allegedly possessing and selling unstamped cigarettes at a convenience store on Long Island Thursday, police said.
Yousef Qaid Al Sanam, 37, of Brooklyn was allegedly selling unstamped cigarette packages, which are cigarettes that bear no tax stamp.
At around 3:30 p.m. police officers along with the Suffolk County Health Department, the building inspector, and the fire marshal, investigated Sky High Convenience Smoke Shop. Authorities found a large quantity of flavored vape products, police said.
Police also seized more than 50 cartons of unstamped cigarettes, a large quantity of cannabis products, and a stun gun. A large quantity of flavored vape products were also seized as evidence, officials said.
Al Sanam was given a desk ticket and is scheduled to be arraigned at a later date. The Town of Brookhaven also condemned the store due to it being an unlawful structure, police said.
Selling unstamped cigarettes is a class A misdemeanor. The New York State Commissioner of Health may impose a civil fine, not to exceed $5,000.
It remains unclear what fees or charges Al Sanam could face.
Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.