PERU, Ind. (April 10) – Indiana State Excise Police officers arrested two men today in their investigation into counterfeit goods and drug sales at a Peru convenience store.
Excise police arrested Amin Ali Saleh, 31, of Peru, on a warrant for counterfeiting, and Khalil Ali Saleh, 35, also of Peru, on a warrant for forgery and counterfeiting – all felonies – as part of their on-going investigation at Peru Stop & Go, 452 W. Main Street.
Store owner Amin Ali Saleh – who now faces the additional charge of counterfeiting – was arrested on preliminary charges of maintaining a common nuisance, possession of synthetic marijuana or a lookalike substance, dealing in synthetic marijuana or a lookalike substance and possession of drug paraphernalia on March 26.
A third man, Yassin Ali Shayef Saleh, 35, of Peru, remains wanted on preliminary charges of forgery and counterfeiting in connection with this investigation.
On March 26, State Excise Police and the Peru Police Department served a search warrant at Peru Stop & Go to look for evidence related to the sale of counterfeit goods. What turned into a four-month investigation into counterfeit goods and drug sales began when officers saw what appeared to be counterfeit merchandise in the store in Nov. 2013.
During their search last month, officers seized approximately 20 grams of suspected synthetic marijuana, hundreds of items of paraphernalia and an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency from the BP-branded store.
Also on March 26, officers searched a residence at 6 N. Holman in Peru, where they also seized more suspected synthetic marijuana and an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency.
Anyone with information concerning violations of Indiana law anywhere that alcohol or tobacco products are sold should contact the State Excise Police at (765) 362-8815.
Officers were assisted by Miami County Prosecutor Bruce Embrey throughout their investigation.
As the enforcement division of the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission, the primary mission of the Indiana State Excise Police is to promote public safety by enforcingIndiana’s Alcoholic Beverage Code. While excise officers have the authority to enforce any state law, they focus primarily on alcohol, tobacco and related laws.
Criminal Charges: All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
