A co-owner of NetCost Market was arrested after authorities on Wednesday raided a pair of the company’s stores in the Far Northeast, state police said.
Officers from the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement descended on the stores, at 11701 Bustleton Ave. and 2417 Welsh Road, at 2:45 p.m. and found what investigators say are illegally imported chocolates containing liquor.
Authorities recovered several thousands boxes of candies, which are now being held as evidence, according to state police. The stores do not have a liquor license.
Andrey Malkin, 48, of Jamison, Bucks County, NetCost’s co-owner, vice president and global buyer, was charged with four misdemeanor counts for illegally selling, possessing and transporting liquor.
NetCost, a Brooklyn-based company with a total of 12 stores, did not immediately return a request for comment on the raids.
The company, which caters to Russian and Eastern European shoppers, opened its first Philadelphia market in 2004. ••
