6 arrested, 175 charges filed after ALE investigation into NC convenience store

HIGH POINT, N.C. (WGHP) — Six people were arrested, and over 150 charges were filed after an investigation into a High Point convenience store, according to a North Carolina Department of Public Safety news release.

The North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Commission has suspended the permits for the Washington Quick Mart at 200 N. Centennial St. in High Point.

The North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division and the High Point Police Department began the ongoing investigation to address complaints of illegal drug activity and violence from the Washington Quick Mart.

ALE special agents seized 261 grams of cocaine, 311 grams of crack cocaine and one gram of fentanyl.

ALE Special Agents also seized seven guns from convicted felons.

The suspects connected to the Washington Quick Mart have been charged with a total of 175 offenses, including 118 felonies and 57 misdemeanors. 

Naeem Ahmed Bhatti, the owner and ABC permittee, was charged with:

• Four counts of Felony Maintaining a Store for a Controlled Substance
• Seven counts each of Misdemeanor Failure to Superintend an ABC Licensed Outlet, Misdemeanor Allowing Unlawful Conduct on ABC Licensed Premise, Misdemeanor Manufacture of Drug Paraphernalia and Misdemeanor Possession of Glass Tubes or Splitters

Mohammad Saleem, an employee, was charged with:

• Seven counts each of Misdemeanor Allowing Unlawful Conduct on a Licensed Premise, Misdemeanor Manufacture of Drug Paraphernalia and Misdemeanor Possession of Glass Tubes or Splitters
• One count of Misdemeanor Sale of Cigarettes Without Proper Warning Labels

Christopher Christian, a patron, was charged with:

• Felony Trafficking in Cocaine by Possession
• Felony Trafficking in Cocaine by Manufacture
• Felony Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell or Deliver Cocaine
• Two counts of Felony Maintaining a Dwelling for a Controlled Substance
• Felony Conspiracy to Traffic in Cocaine by Possession
• Felony Conspiracy to Traffic in Cocaine by Sale
• Felony Conspiracy to Traffic in Cocaine by Delivery
• Felony Conspiracy to Traffic in Cocaine by Manufacture
• Felony Conspiracy to Traffic in Cocaine by Transportation
• Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Patrick Darnell Allen, a patron, was charged with:

• Seven counts each of Felony Trafficking in Cocaine by Possession, Sale, Delivery, Transport and Manufacture
• Four counts of Felony Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell or Deliver a Controlled Substance within 1,000 feet of a school
• Eight counts of Felony Maintaining a Vehicle for a Controlled Substance
• Five counts of Felony Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell or Deliver Cocaine
• Three counts each of Felony Sale of Cocaine, Felony Delivery of Cocaine and Felony Maintaining a Dwelling for a Controlled Substance
• Three counts of Felony Possession of a Firearm by a Felon

Roger Legrand Blocker, a patron, was charged with:

• One count each of Felony Attempt to Traffic Cocaine by Sale, Delivery and Possession
• Five counts each of Felony Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell or Deliver Cocaine, Felony Sale of Cocaine and Felony Delivery of Cocaine
• Five counts of Felony Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell or Deliver within 1,000 feet of a park

Harding Mickel Rice, a patron, was charged with:

• Five counts each of Felony Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell or Deliver Cocaine, Felony Sale of Cocaine and Felony Delivery of Cocaine
• Three counts of Felony Possession of Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a park

The investigation remains active and ongoing. Investigators say additional charges are expected.