Thursday, October 1, 2026
A Hempstead man was arrested Saturday night after police said he sold multiple vape products to underage agents during an enforcement operation at a Wantagh smoke shop.
Tamer Ghazali, 23, of Cathedral Avenue in Hempstead, was arrested without incident at about 8:20 p.m. Aug. 8 at Smoke Bazaar, at 3010 Merrick Road, according to Nassau County police.
The arrest was part of “Project 21,” an initiative targeting the sale of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products to people under the legal age, police said.
During the operation, officers worked with underage agents who entered the store as part of the investigation. According to police, the agents were able to purchase multiple vape products from the business.
Police also observed a large quantity of flavored vape products displayed for sale inside the store.
Ghazali was charged with sale of a restricted product, two counts of selling age-restricted products and sale of flavored products prohibited, police said.
He was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in First District Court on Aug. 28.
The investigation comes amid ongoing efforts by law enforcement to prevent minors from obtaining tobacco and vaping products. Nassau police have used underage agents in compliance operations at local businesses to determine whether retailers are following age restrictions.
The flavored vape products cited in the investigation are also subject to New York restrictions. State law prohibits the sale of flavored vapor products, with limited exceptions, as part of broader efforts to curb youth vaping.
Ghazali is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
