EAST NORTHPORT, NY – Suffolk County Police arrested two individuals on May 28, 2024, for selling alcohol and vape products to minors during a compliance check operation in the Second Precinct.
As part of the department’s ongoing “Operation Smoke Out,” Second Precinct Crime Section officers inspected 26 businesses in the area to ensure compliance with laws prohibiting the sale of vapes and alcohol to underage individuals. Of these, two establishments were found to be in violation.
Charles Spinella, 21, of Kings Park, an employee at Legacy Smoke Shop located at 39 Larkfield Road, was arrested for selling an alcoholic beverage to an underage person. He faces charges of Unlawfully Dealing with a Child in the First Degree.
Harsh Gajjar, 21, of Plainview, an employee at Mister Tobacco 2 Smoke & Vape Shop located at 2031 East Jericho Turnpike, was arrested for selling a vape product to an underage person. He faces charges of Unlawfully Dealing with a Child in the Second Degree.
Both Spinella and Gajjar were issued Field Appearance Tickets and are scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip at a later date.
“Operation Smoke Out” is an initiative aimed at curbing the illegal sale of tobacco and alcohol products to minors in Suffolk County. The program involves regular compliance checks and strict enforcement actions against violators to protect the health and safety of the community’s youth.
See arrests made during Operation Smoke Out by clicking here.
Anyone with information about similar violations or other crimes is encouraged to contact the Suffolk County Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-220-TIPS or through the P3 Tips mobile app.
