Owner, Clerk Busted Selling Drugs At Long Island Business, Police Say

The owner of a Long Island smoke shop and an employee are facing criminal charges after they were allegedly busted selling drugs.

Syed Haider (left) and Syed Hassan were arrested Tuesday, Feb. 14, for allegedly selling drugs at Smoke Depot, located on Hempstead Avenue in West Hempstead.
Photo Credit: *Nassau County Police/Google Maps street view*

Michael Mashburn

02/17/2023 5:00 p.m.

Members of the Nassau County Police Department’s Narcotics/Vice Unit visited Smoke Depot, located in West Hempstead at 177 Hempstead Avenue, on Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 14.

Detectives found that the business was selling numerous products containing psilocybin and marijuana, including chocolate bars and gummies. They also reported finding vape cartridges containing THC, along with cash.

The 33-year-old store clerk, Syed Haider, of Bellmore, was arrested on the following charges:

Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance - 2nd Degree
Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance - 5th Degree
Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance - 3rd Degree
Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance - 5th Degree

Police also arrested the shop’s 53-year-old owner, Syed Hassan, of East Meadow, for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.

Both men were scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday, Feb. 15, at First District Court in Hempstead.

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