6 Underage Tobacco Sales Busts; 1 Condemnation In 4th Precinct-Area: Police

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Six people from five different businesses were busted this week for selling tobacco products to underage purchasers during compliance checks, and a Smithtown business condemned at businesses throughout the 4th Precinct area, Suffolk police said.

The 4th Precinct's Community Support Unit and Anticrime officers investigated the sale of vape tobacco products to underage persons at 20 businesses between May 25 and June 8 in response to community complaints.

The following people were charged:

· An 18-year-old from Central Islip who works at Convenient Smoke Shop on Smithtown Boulevard in Nesconset was charged with Suffolk County Code - Sale of Tobacco to Person Under Age 21 and second-degree unlawfully dealing with a child.
· A 23-year-old from Brooklyn who works at Exotic Tobacco Shop on Terry Road in Smithtown was charged with Suffolk County Code - Sale to Person Under Age 21 and second-degree possession of cannabis.
· A 21-year-old Bay Shore man who works at Krypton Smoke Shop on Smithtown Boulevard in Nesconset was charged with Suffolk County Code - Sale to Person Under Age 21.
· A 37-year-old from Port Jefferson and a 48-year-old from Ronkonkoma who work at 76 Gas Station on Hawkins Avenue in Lake Ronkonkoma was charged with Suffolk County Code - Sale to Person Under Age 21.
· A 19-year-old from Medford who works at M&H Tobacco Shop on Hawkins Avenue in Lake Ronkonkoma was charged with Suffolk County Code - Sale to Person Under Age 21.

During the investigation, the officers partnered with the county Department of Health's Tobacco Enforcement Unit, as well as Smithtown's fire marshal and building inspector. Twenty-four fire and building code violations were found at Convenient Smoke Shop in Nesconset and it was deemed "unsafe for human habitation," police said.

The other businesses checked complied and refused to sell vape tobacco to underage persons.

All six people were issued Field Appearance Tickets returnable to First District Court in Central Islip at a later date.