Dayton man charged for allegedly possessing $19,000 worth of untaxed tobacco products
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Anoka County Attorney's Office charged a Dayton man with one felony count of possessing untaxed tobacco products, the Minnesota Department of Revenue announced Tuesday.
Revenue officials conducted a "random tobacco retail inspection" of Iyad Sati's business, Tobacco Vape Center, where they allegedly found more than $19,000 worth of products that did not have a valid purchase invoice from a licensed distributor.
RELATED: Minnesota reissuing nearly 150,000 expired one-time tax rebate checks
Officials seized the products, and Sati did not request a judicial review, which could have prevented the products from becoming state property.
The felony charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in jail, a $10,000 fine, or both.
The department says efforts are ongoing to enforce Minnesota's cigarette and tobacco laws.
For more information on who is liable for a tobacco tax, visit the department's website.