Nassau Man Charged In Massive Cigarette Trafficking Takedown

A Nassau County man was arrested in part of a massive untaxed cigarette trafficking ring takedown on Wednesday, the New York State Attorney General said.

Ahmed Alsayedi, 43, of Baldwin, was one of 17 people arrested and charged in a 242-count indictment for his involvement in an untaxed cigarette trafficking ring that authorities say operated in Queens, Kings, the Bronx, New York, Westchester and Nassau counties, as well as New Jersey, Virginia and North Carolina.

Authorities say the group trafficked more than 18 million cigarettes by buying them in low-tax states, like North Carolina and Virginia, and reselling them in New York counties. In doing so, authorities say they evaded paying more than $3 million in taxes.

“As we allege, the defendants ran a massive criminal enterprise that trafficked over 18 million untaxed cigarettes into New York, cheating New Yorkers out of over $3 million in taxes,” said Attorney General Barbara Underwood. “We have zero tolerance for those who try to game the system and cheat New Yorkers – and we won’t hesitate to hold them accountable.”

Authorities say the investigation used wiretaps, GPS tracking, covert cameras and undercover officers. It was dubbed "Operation Big Wheels" after investigators identified many Ford F-350 and F-150 pickup trucks that the ring allegedly modified and was using to transport cigarettes across state lines.

Authorities say that the ring members allegedly discussed their plans using coded phrases to avoid being figured out by law enforcement. They allegedly referred to Virginia as "the V" and North Carolina as "the North."

The 242-count indictment charged all 17 members of the ring with enterprise corruption, first-degree criminal tax fraud, second-degree money laundering, multiple counts of possession or transport for the purpose of sale of 30,000 or more unstamped cigarettes and conspiracy.

The alleged ringleader, Mohammed Alsaidi, a 36-year-old man from Queens, is facing 165 separate charges, including enterprise corruption, criminal tax fraud, money laundering and related tax crimes, authorities say.

Alsayedi was arraigned in Queens County Supreme Court.

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