ROME – Two Rome women are facing felony charges after they were allegedly caught with more than $8,000 worth of untaxed cigarettes, according to the Rome Police Department.

Around 11 a.m. Sunday, March 31, Rome police stopped a Ford Escape in the 400 block of North Madison Street after they received an anonymous complaint that the vehicle was lurking in the 300-400 block of that street.

Police say the driver, 24-year-old Marissa Mariano, was found to have a suspended New York State driver’s license. Officers also found 10,800 unstamped cigarettes inside the vehicle, and they later found another 17,600 unstamped cigarettes at the residence of Mariano and her passenger, 25-year-old Cindy Dozois.

Police say the cigarettes were purchased in Basom, Genesee County and transported to Rome by the two women. The total estimated street value of the cigarettes is $8,500.

Mariano and Dozois were each charged with felony possession of untaxed tobacco products, and Mariano was also charged with operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license. The two women were released on appearance tickets for Rome City Court.