Agents from the Oklahoma Tax Commission seized about $40,000 worth of cigarettes from the Muscogee (Creek) Nation on Wednesday.

The tribe called the seizure a violation of its sovereignty. "The Muscogee Nation takes the position that this was an illegal confiscation by the Oklahoma Tax Commission, and we are evaluating all of our legal remedies at this time, and we intend to aggressively pursue our legal remedies," Roger Wiley, the tribe's attorney general, told The Tulsa World. "They used bolt cutters on the lock on the back of the truck and took what they wanted. They violated the Fourth Amendment."

The state claims tribal retailers are selling cigarettes without valid tax stamps. The tribe has declined to sign a tobacco compact with the state.

Get the Story:
Officers seize Creeks' cigarettes shipment (The Tulsa World 5/14)