The Mayor of Carlisle says two convenience stores in the borough where police seized a total of 20,000 packets of synthetic drugs last month should be prohibited from being a Pennsylvania Lottery retailer.
Police confiscated synthetic marijuana and bath salts from NS Deli and Deli Creations with a street value of a half million dollars. While criminal charges have yet to filed, lottery officials have suspended both stores ability to sell the popular tickets.
NS Deli at 20 West Willow Street and Deli Creations, 601 West Louther Street were the two stores raided by the Cumberland County District Attorney and Carlisle Police. According to lottery records the owners of both stores are Nader Alajlouni and Hassan Aljaffan.
Their lottery terminals were disabled shortly after the bust. They had an opportunity to appeal the suspensions, but the deadline has passed, and there has been no response to the Lottery from either owner.
Carlisle Mayor Bill Kronenberg thinks both stores should be permanently removed as lottery retailers.
A spokesperson says the Lottery has the discretionary authority, under law, to suspend or revoke a Lottery license whenever the experience, character and general fitness of the agent is inconsistent with public interest. The Lottery has determined that allegations regarding illegal drug activity by a retailer are just cause for ceasing business relations with such establishments.
Given the Lottery's commitment to social responsibility, it does not want its products affiliated with such illegal activity, and it believes it inappropriate for state government to continue a compensatory relationship with an operation that could be using Lottery dollars to support illegal activity.
Since the time to appeal has expired, the Lottery can continue the suspension, return the status as a retailer, or permanently revoke. It's unknown when that decision will be made.
Meanwhile, we've learned the District Attorney's office has been in discussions with legal counsel for both store owners. District Attorney David Freed said at the time of the seizures criminal charges would be forthcoming.
Police confiscated synthetic marijuana and bath salts from NS Deli and Deli Creations with a street value of a half million dollars. While criminal charges have yet to filed, lottery officials have suspended both stores ability to sell the popular tickets.
NS Deli at 20 West Willow Street and Deli Creations, 601 West Louther Street were the two stores raided by the Cumberland County District Attorney and Carlisle Police. According to lottery records the owners of both stores are Nader Alajlouni and Hassan Aljaffan.
Their lottery terminals were disabled shortly after the bust. They had an opportunity to appeal the suspensions, but the deadline has passed, and there has been no response to the Lottery from either owner.
Carlisle Mayor Bill Kronenberg thinks both stores should be permanently removed as lottery retailers.
A spokesperson says the Lottery has the discretionary authority, under law, to suspend or revoke a Lottery license whenever the experience, character and general fitness of the agent is inconsistent with public interest. The Lottery has determined that allegations regarding illegal drug activity by a retailer are just cause for ceasing business relations with such establishments.
Given the Lottery's commitment to social responsibility, it does not want its products affiliated with such illegal activity, and it believes it inappropriate for state government to continue a compensatory relationship with an operation that could be using Lottery dollars to support illegal activity.
Since the time to appeal has expired, the Lottery can continue the suspension, return the status as a retailer, or permanently revoke. It's unknown when that decision will be made.
Meanwhile, we've learned the District Attorney's office has been in discussions with legal counsel for both store owners. District Attorney David Freed said at the time of the seizures criminal charges would be forthcoming.