Smoke Shops Busted For Illegally Selling THC In Glen Cove: Police

GLEN COVE, NY — Multiple smoke shop owners and workers were recently arrested after an undercover drug investigation, Glen Cove police announced Tuesday.

In total, seven people from four smoke shops are suspected of selling Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from their respective businesses, according to Det. Lt. John Nagle. The undercover investigation was initiated after the police department received complaints that youths were purchasing THC products from smoke shops in the area.

THC is the main psychoactive compound in marijuana that gives users a "high." It's found in products called Delta-9, which is currently illegal under federal law, as well as gummies and candies.

Nagle said many of these candies look strikingly similar to candy wrappers and, at first glance, could be mistaken for popular candies like Razzles, Skittles, and LifeSavers.

Following the investigation, police said they arrested five owners and two employees of the following smoke shops:

• Shore Vapes — 184-B Glen Cove Ave.
  • Arrested: Owners Dennis Mink, 64, and Tammy Mink, 52, both of Land O'Lakes, Florida
• Up in Smoke Head Shop — 70 Forest Ave.
  • Arrested: Owners Christopher Schupke, 23, and Jacob Kalendarev, 23, both of Rego Park, New York
• Smoke Smart — 191 Forest Ave.
  
  • Arrested: Owner Yatin Shah, 64, and worker Devang Mehta, 47, both of Hicksville, New York
• Unique Tobacco & Accessories — 12 School St.
  • Arrested: Worker Muhammed Asif, 44, of Glen Cove, New York

Each person was charged with fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. Police say there is no evidence at this time that suggests illegal sales were made to underage children.

Glen Cove Police Chief Whitton added that "these locations would continue to be monitored to ensure that all state laws were being complied with and the businesses are conducting themselves in the proper (manner)."

Below are several photos of the THC products that police said were seized at the smoke shops in Glen Cove: