Police arrested two smoke shop employees for their involvement in selling flavored vape products to minors. The arrests, which occurred on Saturday, May 11, 2024, around 2:30 p.m. in the Sixth Precinct, were part of the department’s ongoing initiative known as ‘Operation Smoke Out.’
Officers from the Sixth Precinct Crime Section launched an investigation into two separate smoke shops, uncovering instances where employees had unlawfully sold flavored vape products to individuals below the legal age.
This violation led to the seizure of a substantial quantity of flavored vape products from both establishments.
The individuals apprehended and charged with Unlawfully Dealing with a Child are:
- Aum Mihir Bhatt, 21, of Miller Place, an employee of Gary’s Smoke Shop situated at 87 North Country Road in Miller Place.
- Feniben Patel, 23, of Centereach, an employee of Evolve Smoke Shop located at 764 Route 25A in East Setauket.
Both arrestees were issued Field Appearance Tickets and are slated to appear for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on May 31.
A criminal charge is an accusation, and individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
