Two employees of East Northport smoke shop arrested on charges of selling cannabis without a license, after community complaints, police say
Two employees of an East Northport smoke shop were arrested Wednesday on charges of unlawfully selling cannabis, Suffolk police said.
Alexis Cruz, 22, of Huntington Station and Juan Daniel Veliz Hernandez, 24, of East Northport, were arrested at Oasis Smoke Shop on Laurel Road around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to a Suffolk County Police Department new release.
The employees were arrested following community complaints and after police executed a search warrant at the shop, where they allegedly discovered "marijuana, THC marijuana vapes, large quantities of flavor vape products as well as a large quantity of THC products and more than $10,000 in cash," the release said.
Cruz was arrested and charged with sale of cannabis without a license, three counts of unlawful sale of cannabis and second-degree criminal using drug paraphernalia, police said. Veliz Hernandez was arrested and charged with sale of cannabis without a license and unlawful sale of cannabis.
Police issued desk appearance tickets to both men, who are expected to appear at First District Court in Central Islip on July 8.
The New York State Office of Cannabis Management "sealed" Oasis Smoke Shop "and changed the locks" Suffolk police said. The business was also issued four combined building and fire violations by the Town of Huntington, which is conducting an investigation into the smoke shop.
Wednesday’s incident marked at least the 12th on Long Island this year during which police arrested employees of smoke shops or convenience stores for violating cannabis-related laws, based on information provided in Nassau and Suffolk police news releases.
Nicholas Grasso covers breaking news for Newsday. A Long Island native, he previously worked at several community newspapers and lifestyle magazines based on the East End.