Schenectady store owner admits cashing in EBT for drugs | News

Omar Alaidrus, 23, of Schenectady, pleaded guilty in federal court to food stamp fraud and distribution of a controlled substance.

Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) is an electronic system that allows a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participant to pay for groceries using SNAP benefits.

He was first arrested in July and accused of selling fentanyl pills and Xanax to an undercover officer at the store he ran, Munchies Deli and Grocery on Eastern Avenue. He then accepted EBT food stamp payments for the drugs from the undercover officer, authorities said.

Aliadrus admitted this week that he made several illicit sales using EBT funds, his plea agreement states.

According to the plea, Aliadrus became the de facto owner of the store after the previous owner.

The store was eligible to redeem SNAP benefits through EBT. The benefits cannot be used to purchase non-food items such as alcohol, tobacco or drugs or to refund cash, the lawsuit says.

“Throughout 2023, members of the community came to Munchies to redeem their SNAP benefits for prohibited non-food items such as alcohol, tobacco, drugs and/or cash from defendant and his associates,” the lawsuit states.

Aliadrus admitted to selling fentanyl and cigarettes using an EBT card. In January, he sold cigarettes and beer using an EBT card. In March it was Xanax and fentanyl pills, and in April he sold 12 fentanyl pills using an EBT card, the lawsuit says.

During the March sale, Aliadrus admitted to swiping the card for $201.15, then taking $100 from the drawer and keeping the cash, the lawsuit says.

He also made payments to SNAP beneficiaries through peer-to-peer applications in exchange for their services, the plea states.

Aliadrus is scheduled to be sentenced in February. As part of his plea deal, he agreed to waive his right to challenge a sentence of three years, one month or less.

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