Oakdale Tobacco Store Owner Charged With Multiple Drug Counts
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The owner of an Oakdale tobacco shop is accused of selling hallucinogens, stimulants and synthetic cannabinoids.
Hatem Amin Younis, 44, of Afton faces three felony counts of sale and possession of the illegal substances. He's the owner of the Smokedale Tobacco.
According to the criminal complaint, the charges are a result of a years' long investigation into the sales activity out of the tobacco shop. Search warrants were eventually executed at the shop and his home in Afton, which resulted in a "vast number" of synthetic hallucinogens, stimulants and cannabinoids being seized.
Authorities say that several civilian witnesses admitted to police that they had independently purchased the illegal substances from Younis.
"Synthetic controlled substance use is extraordinarily dangerous," Washington County Attorney Peter Orput said. "We only have to recall the Woodbury High School student who died several years ago after ingesting a synthetic hallucinogen to know how deadly they can be. This is a long term investigation which illustrates the fine cooperation between state and federal agencies. This office will do everything it can to deter the sale of these deadly substances."