Inwood Deli Busted For Illegally Selling Booze And Drugs

INWOOD, NY — A store employee for Juanito's Grocery in Inwood got busted on Friday for illegally selling drugs, selling liquor without a license, and failing to comply with social distancing regulations.

The deli and grocery at 144 Sherman Avenue was among 13 establishments to have their liquor or beer and wine licenses suspended on Monday by the New York State Liquor Authority.

Juanito's Grocery is a licensed grocery store that is not allowed to serve alcohol for on-premises drinking at all. However, NYPD officers and investigators from the state found the store operating an outdoor nightclub on Friday, with "table and chairs set up outside, a speaker blasting music, and a window through which alcohol was being served," according to a news release from Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office.

Additionally, around 25 people were completely ignoring social distancing rules while drinking and dancing in front of the store. Hard liquor was also being served, despite the grocery only being licensed to sell beer.

NYPD officers subsequently arrested the store clerk, and charged her with illegally selling prescription medications, the possession and sale of liquor without a license, and the failure to comply with social distancing regulations.

The most recent batch of New York establishments to get their liquor licenses snatched brings the total in the state to 148.

Over the weekend, the Multi-Agency Task Force conducted over 3,000 compliance checks and observed 66 total violations.

Businesses found in violation of COVID-19 regulations face fines up to $10,000 per violation, while the more serious violations can result in immediate suspension of a bar or restaurant's liquor license.