Massachusetts store owner arrested for allegedly selling vape carts illegally

GEORGETOWN, Mass. (WWLP) – A Massachusetts store owner and employee were arrested after an investigation revealed they were allegedly selling THC marijuana vape cartridges and flavored tobacco products illegally.

According to a news release by Georgetown Police Chief David Sedgwick, the police were notified that the Georgetown Smoke and Vape located at 7 W. Main Street was selling THC marijuana products even though it was not permitted or zoned to do so.

During the investigation, an undercover agent purchased eight THC vape cartridges and a youth was able to buy two packs of flavored nicotine products. On Tuesday a search warrant was issued and police seized hundreds of THC marijuana vape cartridges, as well as several cases of flavored tobacco products, which are not legal in Massachusetts.

Officers arrested the store’s owner, 30-year-old Ram Gupta and, an employee 29-year-old Dinesh Kumar Yadav, both of Haverhill. They were both released on $5,000 cash bail on the following charges:

• Distribution of a Class C Substance
• Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class C Substance
• Delivering Cigarettes to a Minor
• Sale of Flavored Tobacco
• Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws

“On behalf of the Georgetown Police Department, I want to express gratitude to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, the North Shore/Cape Ann Tobacco Policy Program and the Georgetown Board of Health for their assistance with this investigation,” said Chief Sedgwick. “I also want to commend the officers who led this investigation to a successful conclusion.”

The investigation was in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue and the North Shore/Cape Ann Tobacco Policy Program.

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