Suffolk County, NY - July 24, 2017 - Suffolk County Police have arrested four people for selling e-liquid nicotine to minors at businesses located in the Fifth Precinct on Saturday, July 22, 2017 between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.
In response to community complaints, Fifth Precinct Crime Section officers and representatives from the Suffolk County Department of Health Services Tobacco Regulation Enforcement Unit conducted an investigation into the sale of e-liquid nicotine to minors during which ten businesses were checked for compliance.
Four people were arrested and charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child:
- Richard Gottcent, 22, of Islip Terrace, employed at Island Hookah, located at 291-C West Main St. in Sayville.
- Joseph Ryan, 23, of Patchogue, employed at the Juice Box, located at 975 Main Street in Holbrook.
- Mukdam Badani, 32, of Bellport, employed at Bellport Smoke Shop, located at 1640 Montauk Highway in Bellport.
- Michael Cuhadarotlu 52, of Deer Park, employed at Valero Gas Station, located at 1628 Montauk Highway in Oakdale.
The clerks were issued Field Appearance Tickets and are scheduled to appear in First District Court in Central Islip on September 25th.
The owners of the above businesses were issued Notice of Violation by the Suffolk County Department of Health.
Hookah City located at 2717 Route 112, Medford, BP Gas Station located at 1614 Route 112, Medford, Coastal Gas Station located at 1515 Broadway Avenue, Holbrook, and High Times Vape located at 500 Medford Ave., Patchogue refused to sell e-liquid nicotine to a minor.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.