Store owner arrested on weapons charges, selling alcohol to minor

by Ben Banuchi , December 21, 2011

Ghanem Melham El-Ayass arrested on alcohol and weapons charges

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a rural Arroyo Grande store owner for selling alcohol to a 19-year-old undercover minor on Friday.

Ghanem Melhem El Ayass, 52, owner of Mr. Smokes on Halcyon Road, allegedly sold alcohol to the undercover operative during a sting operation put on by SLO sheriffs.

The undercover minor who was working with the sheriff’s department purchased alcohol and a marijuana pipe from the Mr. Smokes store, which does not even have a license to sell alcohol.

According to the sheriff’s department, deputies entered the store to issue a citation about 7:30 p.m. and discovered narcotics paraphernalia. Included in their discovery were pipes used to smoke methamphetamine and illegal throwing star weapons and a collection of brass knuckles.

The owner was taken into custody and booked on weapon, narcotics, Alcoholic Beverage Control and probation violation.

SanLuisObispo.com: Nipomo Mesa tobacco store owner arrested on alcohol, weapons charges
Santa Maria Times: Smoke shop owner arrested in alcohol sting

Store owner arrested on weapons charges, selling alcohol to minor was last modified: December 21st, 2011 by admin