| Mid-May |
The Narragansett Indians say they will open a tax-free smoke shop on their lands, along Route 2 in Charlestown. State officials call the tribe's plan illegal. |
| Late May |
Narragansett Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas says the tribe will hold off temporarily on opening its smoke shop to allow the governor time to propose other means of economic development. |
| June 3 |
Gov. Don Carcieri visits the tribe's land in Charlestown. |
| Early June |
State police see vehicles with New York license plates delivering boxes to the tribe's smoke shop. |
| July 3 |
The General Assembly closes its session without approving a bill that would have allowed voters to decide whether a casino should be built in Rhode Island. |
| July 12 |
Narragansetts open smoke shop, selling tobacco products without state taxes. |
| July 12 |
State troopers respond to shop site and request to see sales permit. Thomas tells troopers the tribe doesn't need the permit, and asks them to leave, according to state police. |
| July 12, 3 p.m. |
Undercover state trooper and representative
from the state Division of Taxation purchase two cartons of cigarettes from shop. No taxes are recorded and no permit is posted inside the store. |
| July 12 |
State police file for warrant to search and seize inventory of tobacco shop. The warrant is granted at 9:45 p.m. |
| July 12-13 |
Governor, governor's staff and Chief Sachem Thomas discuss issue of shop. |
| July 14 |
Troopers arrive at shop and present warrant inside the smoke shop. According to police, Thomas says the tribe would not honor the warrant. Thomas says he never saw court papers. Troopers forcibly enter store and seize its inventory. Seven tribe members are arrested and at least one is injured. |
