The Third Precinct reports the arrest of three (3) individuals during the “Project 21” initiative, which targets the sale of alcoholic beverages, THC products, and tobacco products to minors. The initiative was conducted on Monday, March 18, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. throughout Nassau County.
According to Officers, the Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Unit, with the assistance of underage agents, arrested the following individuals as a result of this operation.
Rajnikant R. Patel, 63, of 8417 249th Street in Bellerose, sold tobacco products to a minor at Mike’s Convenience, 804 Jericho Turnpike, in New Hyde Park. He was issued an Appearance Ticket returnable to First District Court, 99 Main Street in Hempstead. Assorted vaping products were seized.
Cheikh Ahmed Metat, 24, of 301 Wyckoff Avenue in Brooklyn sold vaping products to a minor at Carmen Smoke Corp, 811 Carman Avenue in Westbury. He was arrested and the premises was padlocked by the Town of Hempstead Code Enforcement Officers. Hundreds of THC and tobacco products were confiscated from the store. Defendant Metat is an undocumented migrant from Mauritania (Africa) who came into the United States illegally in 2023 via the Southern Border through Arizona.
Cindy E. Granados Vigil, 21, of 1242 Birch Street in Uniondale, sold tobacco products to a minor at Hempstead Convenience & Smoke, 2125 Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow. This is the second time in four months that the subject has been arrested for selling to an underage person at this establishment. She was arrested and the premises was padlocked by the Town of Hempstead Code Enforcement Officers. Hundreds of tobacco and THC products were confiscated from the store.
Defendants Metat and defendant Vigil were charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 5th degree with intent to sell, Unlawful dealing with a Child 2nd degree and each were issued multiple violations. They were arraigned on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at First District Court, 99 Main Street in Hempstead.