Police say supermarket closed after employee arrested for drug sales – NBC10 Philadelphia

Police in Atlantic City, New Jersey, have arrested a supermarket clerk after he was allegedly caught selling illegal drugs during his shift at the store.

According to police, further tobacco violations discovered in the store led to the suspension of the store’s operating license.

According to police officials, the incident occurred on Friday, August 16, 2024, at approximately 1:11 p.m., when officers from the Atlantic City Police Department allegedly observed the clerk at the 24-7 Food Mart in the 1400 block of Atlantic Avenue leave the counter several times to speak to customers.

During that time, police officials allege, the seller – identified by police as Cecil Morgan, 35, of Atlantic City – was observed using a digital scale to sell illegal narcotics to customers.

Police officials said Morgan also allegedly sold loose cigarettes.

At one point, Morgan left the store unattended while customers were inside, at which point he was arrested, according to police.

Police allege Morgan was in possession of cocaine and marijuana at the time of his arrest.

Morgan was charged with possession and trafficking of drugs.

Inside, officers found “cartons of cigarettes and drug-trafficking paraphernalia,” police officials said, and the city’s licensing and inspection office was contacted.

Police officials said the store had been served with documents revoking its operating license.

Also charged in that case was Tariq Mehmood, 58, of Egg Harbor Township, who police said was the owner of the store. Mehmood was charged with possession of unstamped, out-of-state stamped or counterfeit cigarettes and other tobacco offenses.

Yasmin Faheem, 39, of Atlantic City, faces the same charges as Mehmood: she is alleged to possess and sell cigarettes without or with a foreign brand or with a counterfeit brand.

Officials said this incident remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Atlantic City Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at 609-347-5766 or text anonymously to tip411 (847411). The text message should begin with “ACPD,” officials said.