Suffolk County Police arrested four people this week after a joint inspection at a Huntington Station deli turned up alleged cocaine, illegal gambling devices, and liquor being served without a license. The raid targeted Honduras Deli at 1962 New York Ave., where investigators say customers were openly drinking alcohol and gambling inside the shop.
According to LongIsland.com, the inspection was led by Suffolk County Police and included participation from the New York State Liquor Authority along with the Town of Huntington fire marshal and town ordinance inspector. Officers reportedly observed customers consuming liquor inside the deli even though the business had no license permitting on-site alcohol consumption, and also witnessed patrons using gambling devices on the premises.
New York’s licensing rules require a license or permit to serve alcoholic beverages for consumption on site in any commercial space. The State Liquor Authority also distinguishes among licenses by what drinks a business may serve and whether they are for on-premises consumption, as set out in its restaurant licensing guide.
Cocaine and an Active Warrant Among the Charges
Jose Camachocortes, 52, of Huntington Station, was allegedly found in possession of a large quantity of cocaine and was charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, per the same account. Camachocortes was held overnight at the Second Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned Saturday at First District Court in Central Islip.
Juan Zepeda, 41, of Huntington Station, was found to have an active warrant and was additionally charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, the report states. He, too, was held overnight at the Second Precinct and is scheduled for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on the same day as Camachocortes.
Gambling Charges Against 78-Year-Old East Northport Man
New York law makes possession of a gambling device a separate offense, requiring knowing conduct involving the device and, for devices other than slot machines, belief that it will be used to advance unlawful gambling. The statute classifies the offense as a class A misdemeanor, under Penal Law § 225.30.
The oldest of the four defendants, 78-year-old Jose Turcios of East Northport, faced the widest array of charges. The report indicates he was charged with promoting gambling, possession of gambling devices, second-degree criminal nuisance, and two counts under the state's Alcoholic Beverage Control Law for disorderly premises. Turcios was also issued two New York State Liquor Authority violations and a desk appearance ticket, and is scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip, though the report does not specify a date.
Hector Suazo, 41, of Huntington Station, was allegedly found in possession of cocaine. He was issued a field appearance ticket rather than being held, and is also scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip.
Fire and Building Code Violations Still Under Review
The same address has appeared in earlier gambling-enforcement accounts under different deli names. A 2017 report identified Chiquito Deli at 1962 New York Ave. as the site of a gambling-club raid, while a 2022 account said six gambling machines were seized from Yari’s Deli at that address. Those accounts do not establish that Honduras Deli has the same owners or operators; they document prior enforcement at the address, not business continuity. The 2017 account and the 2022 account describe those earlier actions.
As with all pending criminal cases, the charges against Camachocortes, Turcios, Zepeda and Suazo remain accusations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. It remains unclear whether the deli's liquor status will change as the state and town investigations continue.
