The Cayuga Nation of New York was in court on Wednesday to protest a county raid on two of its smokeshops.

The tribe said authorities in Cayuga County lacked authority to seize tribal cash and property. The tribe said its land qualifies for an reservation exemption in state tax code.

The county said the tribe's smokeshops aren't located on trust land. Attorneys cited a recent U.S. Supreme Court case involving another New York tribe, as well as an appeals court decision that resulted in the dismissal of the Cayuga land claim.

The judge didn't make an immediate ruling on the tribe's request to continue selling cigarettes without state tax stamps.

Get the Story:
Cayuga Nation Fights Cigarette Raid in Court (WTVH 12/3)
Lawyers for Cayuga Nation and Seneca and Cayuga counties debate cigarette sales in court (The Syracuse Post-Standard 12/4)
Judge hears case on untaxed cigarettes (News 10 Now 12/4)
Cayugas go to court to sell cigarettes (AP 12/4)

Related Stories:
Cayuga Nation claims 'reservation' exemption (12/2)
Cayuga Nation heads to court after smokeshop raid (12/1)
County authorities raid Cayuga Nation smoke shops (11/26)