Staff Report
HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. – Two individuals, Bhavesh Jayantilal Amin, 57, and Kudamannage Luckshrni-Ramya Perera, 62, are facing allegations of selling nicotine products to minors, following their recent arrests.
On February 11, an undercover operation conducted by the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) involved attempts to purchase Blue Raz Ice by a minor at a Chevron station located at 18828 High Springs Main Street. Despite asking for identification, Perera, who was on duty, reportedly proceeded to sell the product to the underage individual, leading to her arrest.
Following her arrest, it was discovered that Perera had an active immigration hold from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Consequently, she was transferred to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on February 13.
In a related incident on February 19, Bhavesh Amin, the store owner, was also implicated in the sale of a vape to an underage individual during a similar sting operation.
For further details, you can watch the video of Amin’s arrest released by the High Springs Police Department.
Both defendants were charged with providing tobacco products to a person under 21.
Amin has five misdemeanor convictions (non-violent), and Judge Jonathan Ramsey ordered him released on his own recognizance.
According to a social media post from High Springs Police Department (HSPD), the investigation followed numerous complaints that employees at the store were selling tobacco products to minors and alcohol to underage individuals intentionally and attracting youth from all over the area. HSPD and ABT conducted a joint undercover operation, with ABT as the lead agency for Perera’s arrest and HSPD as the lead agency for Amin’s arrest.
HSPD Chief Antoine Sheppard stated, “We have zero tolerance for anyone who sells alcohol or tobacco products to minors. We will continue working with our state partners to hold violators accountable and protect the youth of our community.”
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
