Police: 12 Busted for Selling Booze to Minors

Nassau County Police charged 12 people with selling alcohol and tobacco products to minors.

Part of the “Project 21” initiative to target alcohol and tobacco sale to underage customers, the sting caught a dozen business owners and employees, cops said.

Sales were made to minors in West Hempstead, Franklin Square, and Elmont, cops said. All but one store was located on Hempstead Turnpike, police said.

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Nassau County Police reported the following arrests:

• Essam Behman, 26, of Ridgewood, sold alcohol to a minor at Mobil gas station on Hempstead Turnpike in West Hempstead.
• Batuhan Daban, 21, of West Hempstead, sold alcohol to a minor at OK Food Mart on Hempstead Turnpike in West Hempstead.
• Melida Hudson, 61, of Laurelton, sold alcohol to a minor at Hess Gas Station on Hempstead Turnpike in West Hempstead.
• Paramjit Ghotra, 56, of Jamaica, sold alcohol to a minor at Mobil gas station on Hempstead Turnpike in West Hempstead.
• Carmen Morales, 33, of Valley Stream, sold alcohol to a minor at The Wizard Oz on Hempstead Turnpike in Franklin Square.
• Srinivas Kommuri, 44, of Hicksville, sold alcohol to a minor at The Smoke Shop on Hempstead Turnpike in Franklin Square.
• Servet Bordinaci, 53, of Franklin Square, sold alcohol to a minor at Star Gas Station on Hempstead Turnpike in Franklin Square.
• Sanjay Patel, 50, of Holliswood, sold alcohol to a minor at P&S Spirits on Hempstead Turnpike in Franklin Square.
• Anthony Brito, 49, of Franklin Square, sold alcohol to a minor at Mamp Deli on Hempstead Turnpike in Franklin Square.
• Faheem Khan, 52, of Elmont, sold alcohol to a minor at Crown Deli and Food Mart on Meacham Avenue in Elmont.
• Vinodbhai Patel, 48, of Flushing, sold alcohol to a minor at Lucky Convenience Store on Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont.
• Vinjay Patel, 26, of Elmont, sold alcohol to a minor at Deli/GN on Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont.

All 12 defendants were released on appearance tickets. They are due back in court Nov. 6.

Photo: Hess Station in West Hempstead where one purchase was made. Credit: Google Maps

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