Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
According to information provided by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, an arrest was made on Tuesday, March 24, at the Pure Discount Store, located at 296 E. Base St., in Madison. The operation was carried out by members of the MCSO Special Investigations Unit, the MCSO and Madison Police Department (MPD) Street Crimes Task Force, along with the Attorney General’s office.
The report states the SIU had received numerous complaints from parents who were concerned about unlawful sales of tobacco and alcohol to minors from that location. An investigation regarding the complaints was carried out. Previously, a warning had been given to the store, but the report states this warning was not a successful deterrent. The MCSO press release states that, “a controlled buy of vapes was completed in which the employees sold two vapes, worth approximately $40 to a minor person.” This sale was completed even after the employees checked identification. Following the controlled but, investigators, along with a member of the Attorney General’s office “made contact with the individuals at the store in reference to completing a compliance check.”
In 2024, the Florida Legislature passed legislation that authorizes the Attorney General’s office to create and publish a Nicotine Dispensing Device (NDD) Directory, also known as the “NDD List.” This list is compiled of disposable e-cigarettes (vapes) that are marketed to younger customers. Factors that are considered for inclusion on the NDD List include marketing and design elements meant to appeal to minors, such as cartoon imagery, superhero logos, bright colors, etc. Once an item is placed on the NDD list, retailers have 60 days in which to remove the items. After that, the items are considered to be contraband and are subject to seizure.
During the operation/compliance check, several vapes spanning 13 different brands and flavors were found to be on the NDD List and, as such, were labeled as contraband. The illegal vapes were confiscated and both employees of the store were arrested and charged with the unlawful sale of tobacco to a minor.
An investigation, with the cooperation of the Attorney General’s Office and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is still ongoing “into other identified violations."
Arrested were Jigar Patel and Jaya Patel, both of Madison.