Police: two charged with selling JUUL pods to minors

Two men are facing charges for allegedly selling vaping products to minors.

Detectives from the county’s Narcotics Vice Squad enlisted several individuals, who were under 21, to act as undercover agents and purchase vaping products at various storefronts across the county. The sale of vaping products to anyone under 21 is illegal in the Town of Hempstead.

The Nassau County Police Department sting, known as operation “Vape Out,” led detectives to Shahid Faraz, 39, of East Meadow, and Bashir Hassan, 29, of Brooklyn, according to police officials. Both were arrested and issued appearance tickets on Nov. 7.

Faraz allegedly sold four JUUL mint pods to a minor at the 7-11 on 2680 Jerusalem Ave. in Bellmore. Hassan allegedly sold four JUUL mint pods to a minor at Smoke Zone on 3484 Merrick Road in Seaford.

Both defendants are being charged with Town of Hempstead violations for selling age-restricted products to underage individuals. They will appear in the Town of Hempstead Second District Court on Dec. 3.

—Brian Stieglitz