Laurel traffic stop reveals $70K in untaxed cigarettes, one charged

A New York man is facing charges, after Police say he was found with more than 1,000 cartons of untaxed cigarettes in Laurel.

The Laurel Police Department says on Monday around 8:00 PM, 22-year-old Waael Alsaeidi of East Elmhurst, New York was stopped on Route 113 near Route 9 for a traffic violation.

During the investigation, officers reportedly found 1,184 cartons of untaxed cigarettes, valued at $70,000, in Alsaeidi’s Ford Pick-up truck. Police say, the cigarettes were seized as evidence.

Alsaeidi was arrested, and charged with 39 counts of possession of untaxed tobacco products where tax has not been paid, and the traffic violation. He was initially held on a $5,000 secured bond, but has since been released according to Police.