Undercover Sting in Chattooga County Leads to Multiple Arrests for Illegal Vape Sales to Minors

The Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, Summerville Police Department, and the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force have announced the results of a recent undercover sting operation targeting businesses that sold vaping products to minors in violation of Georgia law.

Underage operatives, working under the direct supervision of law enforcement, conducted compliance checks at retail locations in Summerville and unincorporated Chattooga County. Several businesses were found to have sold nicotine vaping products to individuals under 21—either by failing to check identification or knowingly selling to underage buyers.

Businesses cited for violations:

• Quick Food Mart, 11161 Hwy 27, Summerville

• Golden Package, 10707 Commerce St., Summerville

• George’s Kwik Service, 959 Highland Ave., Summerville

• Hi-Tech/Community Shop, 4375 Hwy 27, Gore

Individuals charged under O.C.G.A. § 16-12-171:

• Shahid Mushtaq, Cartersville, GA

• Melissa Kay Beavers, Summerville, GA

• Puravkumar C. Patel, Summerville, GA

• Taraneer Singh, Rome, GA

• Mahashin Habib, Summerville, GA

In addition to facing criminal charges, these businesses may also be subject to administrative penalties, including fines or license suspension, pending review by regulatory agencies.

The operation was launched in response to growing concerns from parents, schools, and community leaders over the rise in underage vaping. Law enforcement agencies emphasized that protecting youth from illegal nicotine sales remains a top priority and warned retailers that violations will be met with strict enforcement.

Periodic compliance checks will continue throughout the year. Anyone with information on illegal sales of tobacco or vaping products to minors is urged to contact their local law enforcement agency.

Authority:
Sheriff Mark Schrader, Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office
Chief Brian Ozment, Summerville Police Department

The booking photos were released by the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office. At the time of publishing there was no booking photo in the record management system for Beavers.

Update: 8/12/2025 9 am we received Beavers’ booking photo: