Saif al-Fatlawi, 39, a convenience store owner behind several City Corner locations across Salt Lake and Davis counties, was arrested this week after what authorities describe as a months-long probe into alleged sales of alcohol, flavored e-cigarettes, THC, and psilocybin products to underage buyers. Investigators carried out coordinated search warrants at three businesses tied to al-Fatlawi, seizing suspected drugs, vaping devices, and firearms, according to law enforcement.
In a statement from the Utah Department of Public Safety, investigators said the searches turned up psilocybin mushroom products, THC items, flavored e-cigarettes, and semi-automatic long guns at locations in both Salt Lake and Davis counties. The department said the operation involved the State Bureau of Investigation along with multiple local agencies, which carried out coordinated warrants at three stores.
Owner's Past Run-Ins With Authorities
Al-Fatlawi and his businesses have crossed paths with law enforcement before. A 2020 investigation alleged video gambling and related offenses at multiple City Corner locations, according to the Deseret News. Those earlier allegations and related court filings form part of a record of prior enforcement actions tied to the stores.
How The Investigation Unfolded
According to investigators, the current case started in May 2025 when the Utah Highway Patrol arrested a 17-year-old driver for suspected DUI and found alcohol, flavored nicotine, and THC e-cigarettes in the vehicle. The juvenile told troopers the items had been bought at a City Corner store in Murray. From there, investigators launched a series of controlled buys using undercover officers and underage buyers. Court documents state that in some of those stings, purchases were completed without any ID checks. As reported by ABC4, officers say some clerks even required customers to show they followed the store or al-Fatlawi on Instagram before making those sales.
Charges And Legal Exposure
Authorities arrested al-Fatlawi on counts that include maintenance of a drug-involved premises, pattern of unlawful activity, providing nicotine products to minors with two or more prior violations, and illegally distributing flavored e-cigarette products to minors, according to the Department of Public Safety. Prosecutors will decide what formal charges to file after reviewing the seized evidence, and officials say the investigation is still very much active.
Booking And What's Next
Booking records show al-Fatlawi was taken into custody and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail. Court documents also state that on the day search warrants were executed, he attempted to purchase a one-way ticket to Miami but was detained before he could leave, according to ABC4. Authorities are asking anyone who has information or video of alleged underage purchases at the stores to contact investigators as the case moves toward potential charges.
