Crime & Safety

East Lake Man Charged with Selling Drugs From Convenience Store

Junn Yan Lai was released from jail after paying more than $27,000 in bonds. Police said Lai kept drugs behind the counter at the Greenwood Food Mart in Clearwater.

Clearwater Police have arrested and charged Junn Yan Lai, 55, the owner of the Greenwood Food Mart, for selling drugs from behind the front counter of the store. 

Lai, of 5460 Stag Thicket Ln. in the East Lake area of Palm Harbor, was arrested and charged with possession of morphine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of a firearm while committing a felony and possession of marijuana with intent to sell. 

Police said they were advised that Lai was actively selling drugs from Greenwood Food Mart, 1205 N. Martin Luther King Ave in Clearwater. 

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Lai kept the drugs behind the counter, according to investigators.

Police officers made contact with Lai and told him of the accusation. Lai, police said, consented to a search of the store and 71 grams of marijuana-packaged for sale, two grams of crack cocaine and a morphine pill were located behind the counter.

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The investigation continues, police said.

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