IMPORTANT NEWS...

Sweep Nets 8 for Alcohol, Tobacco, Gambling and other Violations

Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and others sweep 12 Broward businesses following tips from concerned citizens

July 26, 2007

FT. LAUDERDALE (FL)—Agents from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) and the Ft. Lauderdale Police Department arrested eight people July 18 following a sweep of Sistrunk Boulevard.  The enforcement stemmed from public complaints of illegal activity in the area and resulted in three charges of selling alcoholic beverages to an underage person, five charges for tobacco-related violations, and one more for obstructing an officer.

The people arrested and sites of violations include:

• Midway Market—Sameer Hasan-Tous was arrested for sale of alcoholic beverages to an underage person and Khaled Guname was arrested for sale of tobacco to a minor. 
• Lucy’s Market—Maged Husein was arrested for sale of tobacco to a minor.
• Ray’s Market—Norma Williams was arrested for sale of alcoholic beverages to an underage person. 
• Ivory’s Store—Napoleon Ramos was arrested for sale of alcoholic beverages to an underage person.
• Na Da Market—Said Maho was arrested for sale of individual cigarettes.  (The sale of single or loose, unpacked cigarettes is a violation of FS 210.04, Florida’s Tax on Tobacco Products chapter.)
• Sistrunk Market—Mohamed Mourazik was arrested for sale of tobacco to a minor and sale of individual cigarettes.

The inspection of Sistrunk Market also revealed employees were paying cash to the winners of three Cherry Master video gambling machines.  The agents confiscated the illegal machines, $132 in cash, and will pursue administrative charges for the gambling violations.

Additionally, Sulaiman Abudaoud, who owns Midway Market, was charged with obstructing an officer for trying to prevent agents from entering the business’s office as part of the inspection.

Each of the businesses could also face administrative charges for being the site of violations, and punishments could range from fines to suspension or revocation of its license to sell alcoholic beverages and/or tobacco products.

The Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco works to keep alcohol and tobacco out of the hands of underage persons, ensures that licensed establishments are in compliance with the laws and rules regulating the industry in Florida, and collects taxes and fees related to the industries.

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates nearly 1,000,000 of Florida’s businesses and professionals.

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