Governor Andrew Cuomo says a special task force created to crackdown on illegal tobacco seized more than $6 million worth of contraband cigarettes and cigars this year.

Cuomo says the $6.6 million seized in 2017 is $1 million more than what authorities hauled in last year.

Untaxed cigars made up the bulk of the confiscations.  Investigators seized more than $1.5 million illegal cigars compared with 260,000 last year.

47,000 cartons of untaxed cigarettes were also seized,

"This illicit activity not only hurts law abiding businesses, but it also places undue burdens on taxpayers due to the loss of state revenue for vital services," Cuomo said. "This administration will continue to do everything in its power to crack down on these criminals and help ensure a fair and level playing field for all."

 

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