Arrests in cigarette tax case

The Rhode Island State Police’s two-month investigation into illegal gambling has uncovered the illegal sale of contraband cigarettes.

The Rhode Island State Police Intelligence Unit found that three convenience stores in northern Rhode Island maintained illegal gambling machines. Two of the stores were also involved in the illegal sale of fraudulent and forged stamped cigarette packs, the State Police said.

Search warrants were executed Friday by members of the State Police Intelligence Unit, uniform members of the State Police, members of the Rhode Island Division of Taxation, and members of the Pawtucket, Smithfield and Woonsocket Police Departments. Click here for the State Police announcement about the case. Click here for more arrest details.