Police: Schenectady deli store owned redeemed food stamps for drugs

A Schenectady deli store owner is accused of redeeming food stamps in exchange for drugs.

Omar Alaidrus, 23, allegedly used the electronics benefits card of a police officer posing as a customer to record a purchase of $201.15. Alaidrus then took $100 from the cash register and gave the officer fentanyl pills and Xanax, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Alaidrus was charged with distributing controlled substances. He was ordered detained pending a hearing scheduled for July 17.

Alaidrus faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, and a lifetime of supervised release.