A Buford man is facing charges related to illegal drug sales at a business he co-owns in Gainesville.
Hirenkumar Patel, 43, was arrested Monday, Sept. 11, after members of the Hall County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit executed a search warrant at Discount Tobacco Depot located in a strip mall at at 350 Shallowford Road in Gainesville.
During that search, investigators seized the following:
- Approximately 2,100 vials of suspected synthetic cannabinoid vaping liquid in containers that were packaged as Black Diamond hemp oil and marked to sell for $80 to $120 per vial
- A quantity of the prescription drug sildenafil, commonly known by the brand name Viagra, with approximately 60 tablets cut for individual sale from blister packs, and based on how the items were priced in the store, the combined value of the drugs was approximately $225,000
- Approximately $12,000 cash
- A handgun
Patel is charged with possession of a Schedule 1 drug with intent to distribute and possession of a Schedule 1 drug, both felonies. He is also charged with possession of dangerous drugs, which is a misdemeanor.
The suspect was booked into the Hall County Jail and was later released on $3,900 bond.
Featured photo courtesy of Hall County Sheriff’s Office
