Inwood Grocer Caught Illegally Selling Liquor And Drugs

INWOOD, NY — An Inwood grocery store and deli has been punished by the state for illegally selling alcohol and prescription drugs, serving customers not wearing masks, and leaving out an open bottle of liquor.

The Agua Azul Deli Grocery at 35 Sherman Avenue in Inwood was one of 36 businesses in New York to get punished on Tuesday by the New York State Liquor Authority for not adhering to coronavirus related restrictions.

The Agua Azul Deli Grocery is a licensed grocery store that isn't allowed to sell liquor or serve alcohol for on-premises drinking at all. However, a State Liquor Authority (SLA) investigator and NYPD officers recently entered the store to find six patrons drinking alcoholic beverages inside the store.

According to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office, only one of the customers was wearing a mask, and two employees, including the cook, were also without a face covering.

Once inside, NYPD officers discovered that the grocery store was illegally selling prescription drugs, and the SLA investigator found an open bottle of liquor and "two illegal gambling devices."

The Inwood deli is exclusively authorized to sell beer.

The Agua Azul Deli Grocery is outside the state-imposed yellow zone, which ends at West 187th Street. However, it is within the 10040 ZIP code, which has the highest coronavirus positive rate in Manhattan, according to the most recent data from the city.

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.

In August, Juanito's Grocery, a different store in Inwood was also punished for flouting social distancing rules and illegally selling alcohol and drugs. It is a six-minute walk from the Agua Azul Deli Grocery, according to Google Maps.

Read More: Inwood Deli Busted For Illegally Selling Booze And Drugs