Hamden Men Arrested On Cigarette Tax Violations At Store In West Haven: Police

WEST HAVEN, CT — Two Hamden men were arrested on cigarette tax violations during a compliance check at a business in West Haven. On Thursday night, the West Haven Police Street Crime Unit assisted agents from the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services, Tobacco Enforcement Division with a compliance check at the Smokers Convenience, located at 1055 Boston Post Road.

“Upon their arrival, Sheikh Ahmed ran out through a back door with a box and headed to an upstairs apartment,” West Haven Police wrote in a post on Facebook. “Agents followed into the apartment and found a stash of untaxed cigarettes, un-invoiced tobacco products and counterfeit tax stamps.”

Agents seized the items, which were valued at approximately $10,000 and made two custodial arrests, according to police.

Sheikh Ahmed, 48, and Rizwan Ahmed, 40, (not related), both of 650 Mix Avenue in Hamden, were arrested on charges of fraudulent cigarette tax stamp, illegal sale of unstamped cigarettes, illegal sale of untaxed tobacco, sale of cigarette other than unopen and conspiracy to commit / fraudulent cigarette tax stamp.

Photos via the West Haven Police Department