Trenton Police And NJ Taxation Div. Target Illegal Cigarette Sales

Trenton-- Acting New Jersey Division of Taxation Director Carol O'Cleireacain and Trenton Police Director Joseph Santiago announced that a series of arrest warrants were executed today in Trenton by officers of the Division of Taxation and the Trenton Police Department in an investigation into the sale of untaxed cigarettes. The investigation was begun by the Division of Taxation's Office of Criminal Investigation in response to complaints by local businesses concerning the sale of untaxed cigarettes on street corners.

“This cooperative investigation led to the arrests of numerous individuals who allegedly had been selling illegal cigarettes and not collecting or paying the required cigarette taxes,” said acting Director O'Cleireacain.

All cigarettes used or sold in New Jersey must have tax stamps affixed, proving that the state's tax of $2.575 per pack has been paid. In New Jersey , it is illegal to sell or possess cigarettes purchased in other states or over the internet without paying all requisite taxes due to New Jersey . Untaxed cigarettes are illegally sold at prices well below the price at which law-abiding merchants can sell their products. Read more at state.nj.us