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THOMASVILLE, GA. -- A Thomas County businessman was arrested twice last week for allegedly selling alcohol, cigarettes, and lottery tickets to minors.

“37-year-old Minesh Patel, of 220 Covington Ave., runs a Boston convenience store, Pantry #2, located at the corner of Green Street and Old Hwy. 84,” said Commander Kevin Lee of the Thomas County-Thomasville Narcotics and Vice Division.

“Patel’s first offense was Aug. 11, although he was not arrested until Aug. 16 because agents were still investigating the case,” Lee said. He was arrested again on Wednesday.

“We’d been getting a lot of complaints from parents about kids getting tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, and lottery tickets from the store the last couple of weeks,” Lee said.  “Last week, through an investigation, we sent someone under the age of 21 into the store and they were able to purchase alcohol.”

Patel is charged with sale of alcohol to a person under 21.

“Yesterday, we sent another person inside under the age of 18 and they purchased lottery tickets and cigarettes,” Lee said. “He was arrested again and charged with sale of lottery tickets and sale of tobacco products to persons under the age of 18.”

Patel bonded out of Thomas County Jail both times for a total amount of $1,500 for all three charges.