Three arrested in Hammond convenience store drug bust

HAMMOND, La. (WGNO) — Three men have been arrested following a convenience store drug bust that happened in the Hammond area and was reported by law enforcement on Friday, June 20.

According to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, the drug investigation was undertaken with help from the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, and centered around a convenience store owner and his employees.

Officials say an ATC agent conducting a routine inspection at the Stop & Shop store on Happywoods Road found a large amount of illegal products on the shelves and contacted the TPSO. The items reportedly included marijuana cigarettes, gummies suspected to contain THC, kratom capsules and bottles of a product known to replicate the effects of opioids.

When leaving the location, deputies said they saw two men running out of a different nearby convenience store, Best Stop Quick Mart #1, carrying arms full of merchandise, allegedly trying to hide it from law enforcement.

Officials say they searched the individuals’ vehicle and found $16,000 in cash, numerous THC vape pens, chewables, hookah lit vapes, kratom capsules and other illegal substances.

As a result of the investigation 20-year-old Paras Khullar, who owns both stores, was arrested and had his home searched, with investigators seizing over $56,000. Two of his employees, identified as 20-year-old Sunny Mehra and 47-year-old Sat Pal, were also arrested.

Mehra was booked on charges of conspiracy to distribute a schedule I controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute a hallucinogenic compound and two counts of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and THC.

Khullar and Pal were booked on the same charges as well as an additional count of obstruction of justice.

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