Six people arrested during Project 21 investigation in Franklin Square, West Hempstead

Nassau police arrested six people on Dec. 11 during a Project 21 investigation, which targets the sale of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products to minors.

The Problem Oriented Policing Unit with other law enforcement agencies arrested the individuals Monday.

Miguel A Baez Rodriguez, 52, of Franklin Avenue, Franklin Square, manager of Kenia Deli located on Franklin Avenue in Franklin Square was arrested and charged with possession of gambling devices. Hempstead town’s code enforcement found that the business was in possession of illegal gambling devices and seized three gambling devices along with United States currency. The State Liquor Authority and Hempstead town’s code enforcement issued summonses and closed the business. He was arrested without incident.

Maria M Napoles Abad, 23, of Langdon Street, Franklin Square, allegedly sold alcohol to a minor at the Kenia Deli located on Franklin Avenue in Franklin Square. She is charged with prohibited sale of an alcoholic beverage and unlawfully dealing with a child. She was arrested without incident.

Akil Hossain, 21, of Rosser Avenue, Elmont, allegedly sold tobacco products to a minor at the Smoke Shop on Franklin Avenue in Franklin Square. He is charged with unlawful sale of tobacco products and unlawfully dealing with a child. Hempstead town’s building code enforcement additionally issued summonses. Hossain was arrested without incident.

Jose Sandoval, 26, of Commonwealth, Bronx, allegedly sold tobacco products to a minor at the LI Smoker’s Depot on Franklin Avenue in Franklin Square. He is charged with unlawful sale of tobacco products and unlawfully dealing with a child. Hempstead town’s building code enforcement additionally issued summonses and closed the business. Sandoval was arrested without incident.

Dheeraj K. Dixit, 55, of Hempstead Turnpike, West Hempstead, allegedly sold tobacco products to a minor at the Best Smoke Shop located on Hempstead Turnpike in West Hempstead. He is charged with unlawful sale of tobacco products and unlawfully dealing with a child. Hempstead town’s building code enforcement closed the business. Dixit was arrested without incident.

Keerthik Puppanagirimanygsh, 28, of Brix Place, Uniondale, allegedly sold tobacco products to a minor at the Smoke Depot located on Hempstead Avenue in West Hempstead. He is charged with unlawful sale of tobacco products and unlawfully dealing with a child. Hempstead town’s building code enforcement additionally issued summonses. Puppanagirimanygsh was arrested without incident.

Baez Rodriguez, Napoles Abad, Hossain, Sandoval, Dixit and Puppanagirimanygsh are due back in Hempstead First District Court on Dec. 28.