At approximately 8:20 a.m., State Police stopped a vehicle on I-90 near Exit 30 for a traffic violation. During the trooper’s investigation, it was determined the driver of the vehicle, Raymond C. Stock, 42, and his passenger, Diana M. Garley, 59, both of Herkimer, were found to be in possession of more than 644 cartons of untaxed cigarettes and a small quantity of untaxed tobacco products.
Investigators from the State Police Special Investigation Unit in Utica and the state Taxation and Finance Department responded to the scene.
The Department of Taxation and Finance, Albany Division charged both subjects with possession and transportation of untaxed cigarettes, a class D felony and fourth-degree criminal tax fraud, a class E felony.
Garley and Stock were arraigned before the Village of Ilion Court and remanded to the Herkimer County Jail in lieu of $1,000 cash bail or $2,000 bond; they are scheduled to return to Village of Herkimer Court March 16 at 11 a.m.
All untaxed cigarettes and tobacco products were seized by the Department of Taxation and Finance.