Seven employees of the Claros Variedades convenience store chain in Suffolk County have been arrested and charged with multiple felony counts related to the illegal sale and possession of controlled substances. The individuals, ROXANA RAMOS ARGUETA, XENIA MIRANDA RODRIGUEZ, KEVIN CLAROS, IDENCIS CHAVEZ-GAMES, ANNA GRISELDA RIVERA, TERESA RAMOS CLAROS, and YESICA CLAROS RAMOS were arraigned on charges of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney stated that these charges stem from allegations that the defendants dispensed prescription medications without proper licensing at various Claros Variedades locations. “What this investigation alleges is troubling in many aspects, as these stores have never been licensed, nor allowed to operate as pharmacies,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Dispensing antibiotics without prescription and selling the Schedule IV controlled substances, like tramadol, over-the-counter without medical authorization is not only against the law but also dangerous.”
On September 25, 2024, search warrants were executed by members of the Suffolk County Police Department assigned to the District Attorney’s Office at four Claros Variedades locations in Brentwood and Huntington Station. During these searches, police allegedly discovered tramadol and other prescription medications at all four store locations. Tramadol is a prescription opioid analgesic often abused by narcotic addicts, chronic pain patients, and health professionals.
The Claros Variedades stores are family-owned businesses operated by the Claros family with four locations across Suffolk County:
- Claros Variedades – 16 First Avenue in Brentwood.
- Claros Multiservicios – 556C Suffolk Avenue in Brentwood.
- Claros Variedades 3 – 1911 New York Avenue in Huntington Station.
- Claros Variedades IV – 1221 Suffolk Avenue in Brentwood.
Each defendant faces specific charges:
- ROXANA RAMOS ARGUETA (35) of Brentwood: Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.
- XENIA MIRANDA RODRIGUEZ (24) of Brentwood: Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.
- KEVIN CLAROS (29) of Brentwood: Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.
- IDENCIS CHAVEZ-GAMES (22) of Huntington Station: Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.
- ANNA GRISELDA RIVERA (45) of Brentwood: Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.
- TERESA RAMOS CLAROS (64) of Brentwood: Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.
- YESICA CLAROS RAMOS (39) of Bay Shore: Criminal Possession and Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.
On September 26, 2024, District Court Judge Bernard Cheng ordered their release without bail due to current New York State laws which categorize these charges as non-bail eligible.
All defendants are scheduled for court appearances on October 17 or October 16, 2024. They are being represented by Gligoric Garupa Esq. The case is being prosecuted by Deirdre Horney from the Financial Crimes Bureau following an investigation led by Detective Kevin Braithwaite along with other members from the District Attorney’s Squad.
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