Business | Law

New York authorities refuse to return tobacco to Winnebago Tribe





Authorities in New York are refusing to return tobacco products that a judge said were illegally seized from the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.

On June 18, Judge David Demarest ruled that the products should be returned to HCI Distribution, the tribe's business, because they weren't mean for sale in New York. Some 26,160 cartons of cigarettes and other tobacco were taken.

The state has filed an appeal of the decision, putting the return of the tobacco on hold.

Get the Story:
NY holding on to cigarettes bound for Winnebago distributor (AP 7/2)

New York State Court Decision:
HCI Distribution v. New York State Police (June 18, 2012)

Related Stories:
Charles Kader: Overdue decision on tobacco seizure in New York (6/29)
Winnebago Tribe waiting for New York to return seized tobacco (6/22)
Winnebago Tribe wins decision over tobacco seized in New York (6/20)
Tobacco products from St. Regis Mohawk Reservation seized (04/30)

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