Red Bank Police Launch Undercover Operation Against Vape Shops

RED BANK, NJ: On Thursday, May 2, 2024, the Red Bank Police Departments, specialized Criminal Investigative Unit, conducted an operation within the borough that surrounded the underage sales of vape cartridges containing flavored tobacco and THC products.

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

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE TAPINTO.NET NEWSLETTER

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, 3 out of the 6 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 as follows.

Muhammad A. Nawaz, 35 years of age from Moonachie, New Jersey. Employee by Mr. Vape, 26 Monmouth Street Red Bank, N.J. 07701. Charged with the following:

1. 2A:170-51.4 - Sale, distribution of tobacco, electronic smoking device to persons under age 21.

DOWNLOAD THE FREE TAPINTO APP FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS. AVAILABLE IN THE APPLE STORE AND THE GOOGLE PLAY STORE .

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 years of age from Morganville, New Jersey. Employed by Elite Wellness, 16 W. Front Street Red Bank, N.J. 07701. 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 years of age from Red Bank, New Jersey 07701. Employed by Dynasty Smoke, 160 Monmouth Street Red Bank, New Jersey 07701. 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.

"In regard to the remaining stores that were investigated, I would like to commend them for doing their job by making it more difficult for anyone under the legal age to possess these products," said Capt. Michael Frazee.

Those stores recognized for being compliant are:

• Monmouth Convenience, 22 Monmouth Street
• Welsh Farms, 110 E. Front Street
• Smoke Theory, 65 Broad Street

The above-listed individuals that were charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty. All were released on special complaint summons pending court.

“Today’s children and young adults are very vulnerable and therefore it is our job to help keep them safe while in our community. 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.”

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,” continued Capt. Michael Frazee.

Officers involved: Lt. Deponte, Sgt. Hauschildt, Det. Perez, Inv. Zadlock and Special Officer Liam Broderick.

Please Support our Sponsors!

TAPinto Red Bank is free to read, funded entirely by business advertising – 43% of our readers have purchased a product or service from a TAPinto advertiser!

If you enjoyed this article, please “Like” and “Follow” us on the TAPinto Red Bank Facebook page , and sign up for our daily e-news so you’ll never miss what’s happening in Red Bank!

And please share this article with your friends and family!

For more local news, visit TAPinto.net