Suffolk Reporter

Seven employees of the Claros Variedades convenience store chain have been arrested and charged with multiple felony counts related to the criminal sale and possession of controlled substances. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced that Roxana Ramos Argueta, Xenia Miranda Rodriguez, Kevin Claros, Idencis Chavez-Games, Anna Griselda Rivera, Teresa Ramos Claros, and Yesica Claros Ramos were arraigned for allegedly dispensing prescription medications without proper licensing.

District Attorney Tierney stated, "What this investigation alleges is troubling in many aspects, as these stores have never been licensed, nor allowed to operate as pharmacies. Dispensing antibiotics without prescription and selling the Schedule IV controlled substances, like tramadol, over-the-counter without medical authorization is not only against the law but also dangerous."

On September 25, 2024, search warrants were executed at four Claros Variedades locations in Brentwood and Huntington Station by members of the Suffolk County Police Department assigned to the District Attorney’s Office. The searches reportedly uncovered tramadol and other prescription medications at all four sites. Tramadol is a prescription opioid analgesic often abused by narcotic addicts, chronic pain patients, and health professionals.

The specific locations searched were:

- Claros Variedades – 16 First Avenue in Brentwood

- Claros Multiservicios – 556C Suffolk Avenue in Brentwood

- Claros Variedades 3 – 1911 New York Avenue in Huntington Station

- Claros Variedades IV – 1221 Suffolk Avenue in Brentwood

The individuals charged include:

- Roxana Ramos Argueta (35) of Brentwood: Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.

- Xenia Miranda Rodriguez (24) of Brentwood: Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.

- Kevin Claros (29) of Brentwood: Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.

- Idencis Chavez-Games (22) of Huntington Station: Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.

- Anna Griselda Rivera (45) of Brentwood: Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.

- Teresa Ramos Claros (64) of Brentwood: Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.

- Yesica Claros Ramos (39) of Bay Shore: Criminal Possession and Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.

On September 26, 2024, District Court Judge Bernard Cheng ordered their release without bail due to current New York State laws deeming these charges non-bail eligible.

The defendants are scheduled to return to court on October dates ranging from October 16 to October 17. All defendants are represented by Gligoric Garupa Esq., while Deirdre Horney from the Financial Crimes Bureau is prosecuting this case. Detective Kevin Braithwaite led the investigation along with other members from the District Attorney’s Squad.

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