Puffs get cuffs: Monmouth vape shops investigated for underage sales
Puffs get cuffs: Monmouth vape shops investigated for underage sales
Arrests follow investigation of underage sale of vapes to those under 21.
Middletown – On March 26, 2024, Chief of Police R. Craig Weber announced that officers of the Middletown Twp. Police conducted an investigation into the illegal sale of vaping products to people under 21 years of age. The investigation was initiated following the police department receiving information that the alleged illegal activity was taking place at a number of locations in the township. On March 25, 2024, officers responded to these locations as part of a directed operation where the officers were able to make observations of store employees selling vaping products to an underage person. After observing the illegal transaction, officers then identified themselves and arrested the person responsible for making the sale.
The first location police responded to was Highlands Cigar and Smoke, located in the Eastpoint Plaza, 2377 State Route 36, in the Navesink section of the township. Officers arrested Haq N. Khan, 26, of Union Beach. Khan was charged with one count of sale of a vaping product to a person under 21, and one count of selling a flavored vaping product.
Officers then responded to the Wilson Avenue Deli, 198 Wilson Avenue, in the Port Monmouth section of the township. There, officers arrested Nelson Yamul, 69, of Middletown. Yamul was charged with one count of sale of a vaping product to a person under 21, and one count of selling a flavored vaping product.
Finally, officers responded to Monmouth Cigar and Smoke Shop, located in Romeo’s Plaza Shopping Center, 434 State Route 36, in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown. Officers arrested Muhammad Shahid, 19, of Union Beach and charged him with count of sale of a vaping product to a person under 21, and one count of selling a flavored vaping product.
Chief Weber stated, “The illegal sale of any tobacco products to the underage people of our community carries a significant impact on our children’s lives. This is especially true with vaping products which are incredibly addictive. It is an incredibly irresponsible act on the part of these establishments. The Middletown Police takes these offenses seriously as we continue to serve all our residents. I thank those parents who discovered this activity and came forward to bring this information to our attention. The cooperation and support that we receive from the public is critical to our success.”
The charge of sale of a vaping product to a person under 21 is a petty disorderly persons offense, while the charge of selling a flavored vaping product, which, if found guilty, imposes a civil penalty.
“I want to thank the men and women of the Middletown Police Department for uncovering this disgusting effort by some local businesses to purposely sell additive products to children,” said Mayor Tony Perry. “While some in Trenton want to purposely handcuff police and our judicial system in New Jersey, Middletown will continue to hold individuals responsible for illegal business practices that put our residents in danger.”
CJN reminds everyone that persons arrested or charged with offenses are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Additionally, except in specific circumstances, arrest and complaint information and names of those charged may be released.
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