Two Haverhill men associated with a smoke and vape store were arrested Tuesday by Georgetown Police for allegedly selling THC vape cartridges and related charges after an investigation by police, Department of Revenue and the North Shore/Cape Ann Tobacco Policy Program.
Thirty-year-old Ram Gupta and 29-year-old Dinesh Kumar Yadav were charged with distribution of a class C substance, possession with intent to distribute a class c substance, delivering cigarettes to a minor, sale of flavored tobacco and conspiracy to violate drug laws, according to a press release from Georgetown Police Chief David Sedgwick.
“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 Sedgwick. He also commended officers who successfully led and concluded the investigation.
The agencies served a search warrant at Georgetown Smoke and Vape, 7 W. Main St., after police said they were previously notified the store was selling THC marijuana products even though it was not permitted or zoned to do so.
As part of an investigation, an undercover agent purchased eight THC vape cartridges from the store. Additionally, a youth was able to buy two packs of flavored nicotine products. Gupta, the store’s owner, and Yadav, an employee, were taken into custody on arrest warrants. They were released on $5,000 cash bail and will be arraigned Wednesday in Haverhill District Court.
While serving the search warrant, police seized hundreds of THC marijuana vape cartridges, as well as several cases of flavored tobacco products, which are not legal in Massachusetts.