BRUSLY — A month-long investigation by the Brusly Police Department ended with the arrest of a local smoke shop owner and the state pulling the business’s alcohol and tobacco licenses.
Ramez Smoke Shop, at 142 N. Vaughan Drive, came under scrutiny in early March after a mother reported that the store had sold alcohol to her child. The complaint also indicated it was common knowledge among local juveniles that the shop sold vapes and alcohol to minors without checking identification.
The business operates under Abu Rayan 1 LLC, a limited-liability company filed with the Louisiana Secretary of State in October 2023. Saber Al Murisi is listed as the sole principal and registered agent.
Detectives notified the Louisiana Alcohol and Tobacco Control and launched an investigation that included surveillance of the business.
On April 2, detectives observed a juvenile male enter the store and leave with a vape. His driver’s license confirmed he was underage. When detectives confronted Al Murisi, he admitted to the sale and was arrested on a misdemeanor summons.
Roughly two hours later, detectives watched another juvenile walk into the same store and purchase a six-pack of alcohol. A traffic stop revealed the buyer was 16 years old and had a 12-year-old passenger in the vehicle. The teen confirmed he bought the alcohol from the same clerk.
Al Murisi was arrested a second time and booked into the West Baton Rouge Detention Center on charges of unlawful sale of vape products and alcohol to a minor. He remained in custody for approximately one week, during which the business was closed.
On April 14, Louisiana ATC revoked the store’s alcohol and tobacco licenses. A hearing on the revocation is scheduled for next month.
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