The Cayuga Nation says it is aware of a multi-agency law enforcement operation carried out earlier today at what it claims to be an “unauthorized and illegal smoke shop” in Montezuma.
In a statement, the Nation identified the business as Pipekeepers, which it says was not affiliated with or approved by the Cayuga Nation. The store was reportedly owned and operated by Dustin Parker and Nora Weber.
The Nation said it had previously taken enforcement action against Pipekeepers and its owners, including sanctions under Cayuga Nation law for operating without a valid business license, banishing Parker and Weber from the reservation, and filing civil RICO claims in federal court.
According to the statement, the business was “operating entirely outside both the Cayuga Nation and New York State legal frameworks, and had falsely claimed affiliation with the Nation.”
Further details about the law enforcement operation have not yet been released.
Photos courtesy of Ken Tiaskkun.
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