MMC08232019 - Page 30

BY AIDAN GRAHAM A Kensington grocery store was busted with more than $500,000 in untaxed liquor and cigarettes on Aug. 14, according to the Kings County Sheriff’s Offi ce. Authorities raided the grocery store on Ditmas Avenue near E. Fourth Street shortly after 3 p.m., where deputies confiscated more than 5,000 cartons of cigarettes and 1,000 bottles of spirits, authorities said. The store, which boasted a fraudulent liquor license, was also stocked with dozens of emptied-out soda bottles containing homemade moonshine, which employees were apparently selling to customers, according to the Sheriff’s Office. A 32-year-old staff member, who was working at the time of the raid, was arrested and charged with possession of a forged instrument �� COURIER L 28 IFE, AUG. 23-29, 2019 and possession of untaxed cigarettes, authorities said. — Additional reporting by Paul Martinka The Kings County Sheriff’s Offi ce sized over 5,000 cartons of cigarettes and 1,000 bottles of spirits from the store. Photos by Paul Martinka BUSTED! Sheriff’s offi ce seizes $500K in illegal booze and smokes ��