DOJ: Schenectady man redeemed food stamps for drugs

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Schenectady man is accused of distributing fentanyl and Xanax in exchange for food stamps at a deli and grocery in Schenectady. Omar Alaidrus, 23, was charged with distributing controlled substances.

According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), on March 29, 2023, a police officer went into the deli and grocery posing as a customer. Alaidrus was working behind the counter when he used the officer's electronic benefits card to record a purchase of $201.15 using food stamps.

The DOJ says he took $100 from the register, kept it, and gave the officer fentanyl pills and Xanax. Alaidrus faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1M, and a term of supervised release of at least three years up to life.