MASON CIY – A Mason City man who sells booze on the North End of town was busted selling his goods to numerous children, allegedly, and the business was shut down as he was hauled off to jail.
On December 13, 2024, the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office conducted an operation to investigate illegal liquor and tobacco sales a Prime Wine and Spirits, located at 1104 N. Federal Avenue, in Mason City. Over a few hours, several minors were seen leaving the business in possession of alcoholic beverages and traffic stops were conducted. During the stops, several alcohol violations and one marijuana violation were charged. Mason City Police then assisted and conducted surveillance and a traffic stop, resulting in more violations. Deputies and Officers then went to Prime Wine and Spirits to further investigate and once inside, located a 20-year-old purchasing alcohol and tobacco.
The employee, Muhammad Hanif (pictured at top), 40, of Mason City, was arrested by the sheriff’s office and the business was closed. Hanif was transported to the Cerro Gordo County Jail. Hanif was charged by the Sheriffs Office with 5 counts of selling alcohol to persons under legal age and 2 counts of selling tobacco to persons under legal age.
Mason City police charged Hanif with 2 counts of selling alcohol to persons under legal age and 1 count of selling tobacco to persons under legal age. The ages of minors from this investigation ranged from 16 years old.
This case is also being referred to the Iowa Department of Revenue, Alcohol and Tax Compliance Division.
It was just last year, in June of 2023, that NIT reported that youngsters entered Mason City businesses under the watchful eye of cops to try and buy smokes or other tobacco products and some businesses failed the test, including Prime Wine & Spirits.