Crime & Safety
46-Year-Old Arrested In Smoke Shop Bust: Police
The shop was selling flavored vape and THC products, police say.
FRANKLIN SQUARE, NY. — A 46-year-old man is facing charges this week after police found flavored vape products being sold at a Hempstead Turnpike smoke shop, police said.
Nassau County police said 46-year-old Garden City resident Chaitanya Sanapathi was arrested Saturday and charged with fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, sale of restricted products and sale of flavored products prohibited. Police said they investigated Smoke Shop, a Hempstead Turnpike store, for the sale of flavored vape products, finding both the vape products and THC products displayed for sale in the storefront.
The sale of flavored vape products has been illegal in New York since May of 2020, with experts saying the products allowed tobacco companies to target and sell to children. Sanapathi’s arraignment was scheduled for Sunday, police said.
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