After nearly two years, Cayuga County in New York has finally returned tobacco that it illegally seized from the Cayuga Nation.

The county took 7,627 cartons of cigarettes from two tribal smoke shops. But even after losing several rounds in court, the county had to be told to return the property -- worth nearly $220,000 -- to the tribe.

Seneca County returned 12,628 cartons to the tribe in July. Both counties participated in an illegal raid of the tribe's facilities in November 2008.

Get the Story:
Cayuga County complies with judicial order and returns seized cigarettes to Cayuga Indian Nation (The Syracuse Post-Standard 11/16)

New York Court of Appeals Decision:
Cayuga Nation v. Gould (May 11, 2010)

New York Appellate Division Decision:
Cayuga Nation v. Gould (July 10, 2009)

New York Supreme Court Decision:
Cayuga Nation v. Gould (December 9, 2008)

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