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Smoke Shop Confrontation
Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas: "We were surprised when state police showed up"
(Providence-AP) -- Narragansett Indian Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas says he was surprised when state police showed up on tribal land to raid the tribe's tax-free smoke shop.
Thomas testified today before a committee investigating last month's raid.
He says he thought the state was going to take the matter to the courts.
Thomas also says he didn't see a search warrant until after he was released from jail.
Thomas was among the tribal members arrested in the raid. At least seven Narragansetts were arrested. Police confiscated about 160-thousand cigarettes and some money from the store on Route Two.
Wednesday, two state police captains answered questions from panelists and defended the troopers' actions in the raid.
Governor Carcieri and state police commander Colonel Steven Pare testified for the panel earlier this week.
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