Following an undercover operation, the High Springs Police Department and state partners arrested the owner and an employee of the Chevron on Main Street for selling nicotine products to underaged customers.
The store owner, Bhavesh Jayantilal Amin of Gainesville, was arrested Thursday. The store clerk, Kudamannage Perera of Ft. White, was arrested on Feb. 11 and found to have an active immigration hold from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the press release said.
“We have zero tolerance for anyone who sells alcohol or tobacco products to minors,” HSPD Chief Antoine Sheppard said in the release. “We will continue working with our state partners to hold violators accountable and protect the youth of our community.”
The investigation started following numerous complaints that the store was attracting youth from across the area because it sold tobacco products and alcohol to underaged customers.
The investigation included the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco.
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What a idiot!
Nice way to get the illegal out quickly! Well done.
It will be interesting to see if they actually get a proper trial to examine the evidence and determine actual guilt of a crime. Based on what’s reported here, being “illegal” is only an assumption.
He is very much so a U.S. citizen and has contributed more to this beautiful country more than you have Mayor of Realville.
I am glad they are cracking down on the sales to underage kids. Yes, if they want to use it, they will find another way, but let’s not intentionally sell to them. I think to help with this the first time you are caught you lose you license to sell tobacco or alcohol, what ever it was you sold for 3 months. If you are caught again, lose license for a year, 3rd time, license permanently revoked. Those penalties will stop the sell to underage kids!