Liquor-filled candy seized in police raid in Somerton; store owner facing charges

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A grocery store owner is facing charges after the Pennsylvania State Police's Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement raided a business in the Somerton section of Philadelphia for hours on Wednesday.

It began with an undercover operation at the NetCost Market on Bustleton Avenue.

Customers and employees told Action News that the BLCE was removing boxes containing liquor-filled candy.

Police confirm they seized thousands of candy boxes, some containing chocolate filled with liquor.

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Only Action News cameras captured officers removing boxes and placing them into a police truck.



Investigators were at the store from about 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Police say they have arrested 48-year-old Andrey Malkin of Jamison, Pennsylvania.

Malkin, who is the owner of NetCost Markets, is facing a slew of charges including possession or transportation of liquor or alcohol, possession of alcohol, sales of liquor and other related offenses.

NetCost, which also has locations in New York and New Jersey, is billed as a market for international foods.

Liquor-filled candy is very popular in many European countries around the holidays; but with the liquor laws in Pennsylvania, stores aren't allowed to sell those candies just anywhere.

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