New York: Queens man busted after cops find 200 gallons of untaxed liquor in his vehicle

Chen’s vehicle was packed with 757 liters of liquor he bought at five tax-free state-run liquor shops in New Hampshire, officials alleged Friday.

Source: NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

VICTORIA BEKIEMPIS

December 8, 2017

A wannabe Queens bootlegger was arrested after cops found 200 gallons of untaxed booze in his vehicle, officials said Friday.

Juncheng Chen was driving in Rye, NY, when NYPD officers pulled him over on Nov. 9, according to court records and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

Chen’s vehicle was packed with 757 liters of liquor he bought at five tax-free state-run liquor shops in New Hampshire, officials alleged Friday.

By bringing in out-of-state alcohol, Chen avoided at least $1,288 in New York liquor taxes, officials said.

Chen, 45, has pleaded not guilty to two felonies charges – possession of more than 360 liters of liquor untaxed by New York state and acting as an unlicensed distributor.

“Alcohol-related tax evasion, as this case clearly shows, is on our radar,” said Nonie Manion, acting commissioner of New York’s Department of Taxation and Finance. “We’ll work with all levels of law enforcement to tackle the problem head-on.”

Chen’s lawyer could not immediately be reached Friday.