Employee arrested after multiple alleged liquor, tobacco sales to minors in Mason City

MASON CITY — A Mason City man was arrested over the weekend after being accused of illegal liquor and tobacco sales at a local business.

The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office says they conducted an operation late Friday night at Prime Wine and Spirits at 1104 North Federal. A news release says over a few hours, several minors were seen leaving the business in possession of alcohol and traffic stops were conducted with deputies finding alcohol and marijuana violations. The Mason City Police Department then assisted and conducted surveillance and a traffic stop, resulting in more violations.

Deputies and officers then went into the store to further investigate, and once inside, found a 20-year-old purchasing alcohol and tobacco. The employee, 40-year-old Muhammad Hanif, was arrested and taken to the Cerro Gordo County Jail while the business was closed.

Hanif was charged by Cerro Gordo County authorities with five counts of selling alcohol to a minor and two counts of selling tobacco to a minor. Mason City police charged Hanif with two counts of selling alcohol to a minor and one count of selling tobacco to a minor. The ages of the minors from the investigation ranged from 16 to 20 years old.

The Sheriff’s Office says the case is also being referred to the Iowa Department of Revenue, Alcohol and Tax Compliance Division.