On Wednesday, December 28th, 2022, the Riverhead Town Police Department, Community Oriented Policing Enforcement (COPE) Division in cooperation with the Suffolk County Health Department and Riverhead CAP conducted a tobacco/vape compliance check at retail vendors throughout Riverhead Town, resulting in three arrests.
The compliance check targeted the sale tobacco and vape products to patrons under the age of 21.
The following vendors were found to be in compliance:
- Speedway, 6305 Route 25A, Wading River
- Wading River Smoke Shop, 6278 Route 25a, Wading River
- Mobile gas, 3705 Middle Country Road, Calverton
- Gulf Gas, 1879 Old Country Road, Riverhead.
- Gothem Smoke, 1085 Old Country Road, Riverhead.
- Riverhead Stationery, 407 East main Street, Riverhead.
The following vendors were found not to be in compliance.
- One Stop Smoke Shop, 1698 Old Country Road, Riverhead.
- Baba Cards and Gifts, 769 Old Country Road, Riverhead.
- Shell Gas, 626 West Main Street, Riverhead
Oktay Celik, 51 of Riverhead, from Shell Gas, Ankitkumar Patel, 35 of East Northport from One Stop Smoke Shop and Prakashkumar Patel, 33 of Riverhead from Baba Cards and Gifts were all arrested in each charged with one count of Penal Law 260.21, Unlawful Dealing with a Child 2nd Degree. All three subjects were processed and released on a desk appearance ticket with a future court date.