Suffolk County Police arrested three men for selling tobacco and vape products to people under the age of 21 during compliance checks at multiple businesses in East Northport and Commack.
In response to community complaints, Second Precinct Crime Section officers checked 11 businesses for compliance with laws related to the sale of vape and tobacco products. Three businesses were found to have violations.
The following people were charged with second-degree unlawfully dealing with a child:
- Siul Cruz, 23, of Central Islip, an employee of Highr Smoke Shop, located at 2066 Jericho Turnpike, East Northport
- Rajendrakumar Patel, 56, of Fresh Meadows, Queens, an employee of East Northport Smoke Shop, located at 250B Larkfield Road, East Northport
- Gaurang Upadhyay, 57, of Rocky Point, an employee of Smoke Shop, located at 6316 Jericho Turnpike, Commack. Upadhyay was charged with an additional count of unlawfully dealing with a child.
Additionally, police seized more than $1,000 worth of flavored vape products from East Northport Smoke Shop.
All three men were issued field appearance tickets and are scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip at a later date.