Suffolk County Police have arrested three individuals for selling vape and tobacco products to underage customers during compliance checks conducted in the Fourth Precinct as part of the ongoing “Operation Smoke Out.”
On Thursday, May 16, 2024, Fourth Precinct Crime Section officers, in collaboration with the Suffolk County Department of Health Tobacco Enforcement Unit, investigated the sale of vape and other tobacco products to individuals under the age of 21 at fifteen businesses within the precinct. Three businesses were found to be non-compliant with state laws.
The arrested individuals and their respective charges are as follows:
- Alexander Naupari-Ocana, 27, of Islip, employed at the BP Gas station located at 240 W. Main Street, Smithtown, was charged with Unlawfully Dealing with a Child in the Second Degree.
- Hasan Feroz, 37, of Selden, employed at AMPM Mart located at 204 Smithtown Boulevard, Nesconset, was charged with Unlawfully Dealing with a Child in the Second Degree and Public Health Law Sale of Flavored Vape Products.
- Amritpal Singh, 38, of Ronkonkoma, employed at Hawkins Convenience and Smoke Shop located at 422 Hawkins Avenue, Ronkonkoma, was charged with Unlawfully Dealing with a Child in the Second Degree.
During the compliance checks, officers seized several hundred flavored vape products from both AMPM Mart and Hawkins Convenience and Smoke Shop. Additionally, multiple cannabis products were confiscated from Hawkins Convenience and Smoke Shop. The Suffolk County Department of Health will issue numerous citations to these businesses for selling to underage persons and possessing significant amounts of flavored vape products.
These arrests come in the context of “Operation Smoke Out,” a month-long initiative by Suffolk County Police aimed at combating underage vape sales. As reported by litruecrime.com, this initiative underscores the department’s proactive efforts to curb illegal vape sales and protect public health, particularly the well-being of the youth.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
