According to police, in March of 2015, police began investigating a local convenience store in the City of St. Catharines for Laundering Proceeds of Crime. Investigation revealed that the Variety Food Fair convenience store located at 131 Eastchester Avenue, St. Catharines, was engaged in the practice of purchasing stolen goods from various thieves in the Niagara Region. The store operators would then resell the stolen property in the store to unsuspecting patrons.
On July 31st, 2015, police executed a search warrant at the Variety Food Fair. Police also arrested the store operators, 52 year old Hamilton resident Walid El Jnainati and 45 year old Hamilton residence Jihad El Jnainati. During the search warrant police seized in excess of $6000.00 in property believed to be stolen.
Walid El Jnainati is charged with:
1. Laundering Proceeds of Crime
2. Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
3. Counseling Theft
Jihad El Jnainati is charged with:
1. Laundering Proceeds of Crime
2. Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
3. Counseling Theft
During the search warrant execution police also noted violations of the Tobacco Tax Act. Investigators from the Ontario Ministry of Finance attended and charged both Walid and Jihad El Jnainati with several violations of the Tobacco Tax Act. Several illegal tobacco products were seized as evidence.
Police also made several observations regarding possible fire and electrical code violations. St. Catharines Fire Department Fire Prevention Officers subsequently attended and documented several infractions of the Fire Code as well as the Ontario Electrical Safety Code. Further inspections of the violations will take place in the near future.
Police also made observations regarding Health Code violations, and Heath Inspectors from Niagara Region Public Health attended the store. Based on their observations the Variety Food Fair was closed from opening until further notice.
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