Illegal Substances On Sale At Baldwin XpressMart, Duo Arrested, Police Say

BALDWIN, NY — Two men were arrested in Baldwin Monday night after police investigated the Foxhurst Road XpressMart and found them selling flavored vapes, Kratom and pepper spray canisters, police said.

Nassau County police said 35-year-old Flushing resident Ketankumar Patel and 50-year-old Hicksville resident Hiteshkumar Shah were arrested and charged with sale of restricted products, sale of flavored products prohibited and unlawfully selling noxious materials. The men were given appearance tickets dated Apr. 16, police said.

Flavored vape products have been banned in New York since 2020, when state officials said the tobacco industry was using the fruity scented oils to introduce children to nicotine and eventually getting them hooked on it.

As for Kratom, the FDA says the Southeast Asian plant is used to treat pain, coughing, diarrhea, anxiety and depression, opioid use disorder, and opioid withdrawal. However, the federal regulator also says that the tree’s medicinal use can cause liver toxicity, seizures, and substance abuse disorder, oftentimes when used in tandem with other drugs.