Advertise:   ads@blueearthmarketing.com   712.224.5420

Law
Agents from IRS raid reservation smoke shop


Agents from the Internal Revenue Service raided a smoke shop owned by a member of the Yakama Nation of Washington.

The agents were with the criminal investigation division, The Yakima Herald Republic reported. They shut down the Lil' Brown Smoke Shop [Web Site], which is owned by a tribal member and licensed under tribal laws.

Yakama Chairwoman Lavina Washines said she was told the store was violating an Oregon law. She said tribal leaders should have been consulted before the raid.

The raid came a day after the tribe met with smoke shop owners on the reservation to discuss a tobacco tax compact. Currently, the tribe collects a tax from non-Indians.

Get the Story:
Feds raid reservation smoke shop (The Yakima Herald Republic 8/18)

Related Stories:
UPS to stop shipments of tobacco sold online (10/25)
State seeks taxes from Indian smoke shop consumers (07/15)
Tribal members charged with cigarette smuggling (04/12)
Retailers criticize state tobacco deal for Puyallup Tribe (03/11)
Washington tribes negotiating tobacco compacts (01/11)
Federal agents raid Washington smokeshops (06/09)
House leader vows fight against tobacco tax bill (02/04)
Tobacco tax bill has broad group of supporters (2/2)
Tobacco tax bill still poses challenges for Indian Country (12/16)
Tribes left out of Internet and cigarette tax bills (11/19)