1212 Exotic Convenience Store in East Meadow raided, two face drug charges

Two men were arrested on drug charges Wednesday after a narcotics investigation at a store in East Meadow by Major Case Bureau detectives, Nassau County police said.

Police said Narcotics/Vice Squad detectives raided the 1212 Exotic Convenience Store, at 386 East Meadow Ave., at about 2:10 p.m. and said it was determined that tetrahydrocannabinol — THC — as well as a substance believed to be marijuana and chocolate bars containing psilocybin mushrooms were being sold at the location.

Police arrested Ameen S. Ahmed of Manhattan and Ahmed Ajomai of Mastic. Ages were not provided for either man.

Ahmed was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, two counts of fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and unlawful sale of cannabis.

Ajomai was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Ahmed was arraigned Thursday in Nassau First District Court in Hempstead. He was released on no-cash bail and his next court date is Monday. His attorney, Christopher Devane of Mineola, couldn't be immediately reached for comment.

Arraignment details for Ajomai were not immediately available.

The store was shut down Thursday evening by Hempstead town officials and Nassau County police. Hempstead officials placed a padlock on the door and posted a note from the building department warning it was unsafe to enter.

"There is no place for these types of stores in our communities," Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin said in a statement. "The Town of Hempstead takes a strong stance against drugs and we will act swiftly to keep our residents safe." 

With John Asbury