Authorities Seize More Than 3,300 Cartons Of Contraband Cigarettes During GWB Traffic Stop: Police

Three New York men were arrested following a traffic stop where authorities found more than 3,300 cartons of contraband cigarettes, police said.

Port Authority Police officers stopped a white Chevrolet truck being driven eastbound on the lower level of the George Washington Bridge Friday at 11 a.m.; said Joseph Pentangelo, spokesman for the Port Authority Police Department. Trucks are not allowed on the bridge’s lower level.

The driver, Corey J. O’Neil, 30, of Salamanica, N.Y., couldn’t produce a driver’s license and told police he was transporting cigarettes,; police found 3,380 cartons of various contraband cigarettes with no tax labels, Pentangelo said; A small amount of marijuana was found in the center console.

Authorities confirmed with the New Jersey Treasury Department confirmed that the cigarettes were contraband cigarettes, police said.

Officials from the New Jersey Treasury Department seized the truck and confiscated the cigarettes.

O’Neil was charged with possession of contraband cigarettes, failure to maintain books and records, illegal transport of untaxed cigarettes, possession of marijuana under 50 grams, and driving with revoked license.

Curtis W. Solner, 29, was charged with possession of contraband of cigarettes, failure to maintain books and records, illegal transport of untaxed cigarettes.

Jaymee Minner, 34, the truck’s owner, had charges filed against him from the New Jersey Treasury Department. Solner and Minner are also from Salamanica, police said.