Red Bank Police arrest three for underage vape sales

RED BANK — Yesterday, Thursday, May 2, the Red Bank Police Department’s specialized Criminal Investigative Unit conducted an operation within the borough targeting the underage sale of vape cartridges containing flavored tobacco and THC products.

As part of the operation, the department investigated six stores in the borough in which it had received complaints about, or have seen juveniles entering or leaving the stores on a regular basis.

The following businesses were investigated during the operation:

• Mr. Vape, 26 Monmouth Street.
• Dynasty Smoke, 160 Monmouth Street.
• Monmouth Convenience, 22 Monmouth Street.
• Welsh Farms, 110 E. Front Street.
• Smoke Theory, 65 Broad Street.
• Elite Wellness, 16 W. Front Street.

As a result, three out of the six stores sold flavored tobacco or THC vaping products to an officer who was under 21 years of age.

The following people were arrested and charged:

• Muhammad A. Nawaz, 35, of Moonachie, an employee of Mr. Vape, was charged with the following:
1. 2A:170-51.4 – Sale, distribution of tobacco, electronic smoking device to persons under age 21.
2. 2C:33-13.1(a) – Sells or gives to a person under 21 years of age any cigarettes made of tobacco or of any other matter or substance which can be smoked, or any cigarette paper or tobacco in any form, including smokeless tobacco, or any electronic smoking device that can be used to deliver nicotine or other substances to the person inhaling from the device, including, but not limited to, an electronic cigarette.

• Paramvir Singh, 21, of Morganville, an employee of Elite Wellness, was charged with the following:
1. 2A:170-51.4 – Sale, distribution of tobacco, electronic smoking device to persons under age 21.
2. 2C:33-13.1(a) – Sells or gives to a person under 21 years of age any cigarettes made of tobacco or of any other matter or substance which can be smoked, or any cigarette paper or tobacco in any form, including smokeless tobacco, or any electronic smoking device that can be used to deliver nicotine or other substances to the person inhaling from the device, including, but not limited to, an electronic cigarette.

• Melissa Tobar, 18, of Red Bank, an employee of Dynasty Smoke, was charged with:
1. 2A:170-51.4 – Sale, distribution of tobacco, electronic smoking device to persons under age 21.
2. 2C:33-13.1(a) – Sells or gives to a person under 21 years of age any cigarettes made of tobacco or of any other matter or substance which can be smoked, or any cigarette paper or tobacco in any form, including smokeless tobacco, or any electronic smoking device that can be used to deliver nicotine or other substances to the person inhaling from the device, including, but not limited to, an electronic cigarette.

All of those charged were released on a special complaint summons pending court proceedings.

The public is reminded that all individuals listed who have been arrested or charged with a crime are to be considered innocent until, and unless, they are found guilty or plead guilty in a court of law.

With regards to the remaining stores that were investigated, Capt. Michael Frazee said he wanted to commend them for doing their job by making it more difficult for anyone under the legal age to possess these products.

Those stores recognized for being compliant were:
• Monmouth Convenience, 22 Monmouth Street.
• Welsh Farms, 110 E. Front Street.
• Smoke Theory, 65 Broad Street.

“Today’s children and young adults are very vulnerable and therefore it is our job to help keep them safe while in our community,” Capt. Frazee said. “Addictive products such as tobacco and THC items that are offered for sale are very attractive to children and therefore it is our job to enforce the law and crack down on businesses that make them available.”

He added, “I’d like to also give credit to the officers who worked on this operation because I know they believe in safeguarding the children of our community and for holding those irresponsible employees accountable.”

Officers involved were Lt. James Deponte, Sgt. Sean Hauschildt, Det. Paul Perez, Investigator Michael Zadlock and Special Officer Liam Broderick.