Rome Police are cracking down on the illegal sale of cigarettes in the city.

Police executed search warrants at Benny's Market on South James Street and Zack Mini Mart on Lawrence Street on Monday.

They seized over 200 cartons of untaxed cigarettes, $12,000 in cash and drug paraphernalia.

23-year old Yazan Ahmen and 28-year old Fares Alaodyi were arrested and charged with violating New York State Tax and Finance Law.

The Rome PD was assisted by members of the Oneida County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

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