More than 6,000 Flavored Vape Cartridges Seized from Smoke Shop 
MEDIA RELEASE / COMMUNITY ALERT
For Immediate Release No. 20230817-047
Thursday, August 17, 2023
More than 6,000 Flavored Vape Cartridges Seized from Smoke Shop
Officers confiscate more than 6,000 flavored vape cartridges being sold at a local smoke shop during a tobacco compliance check.
San Mateo, CA – On August 15, 2023, at 3:33 p.m., while performing random compliance checks of local businesses, San Mateo Police Department confiscated a total of 6,298 flavored vape cartridges from Magic Theater Smoke Shop, located at 2206 South El Camino Real. The compliance checks were conducted by the Youth Services Unit and is part of ongoing efforts to curb the distribution of illegal tobacco products within our community.
During the compliance check, officers witnessed an employee of the smoke shop sell flavored tobacco to a customer. In November 2022, California voters passed Senate Bill 793 that banned the sale of flavored tobacco products to include e-cigarettes, e-liquids, pods, or any other vape device.
As officers investigated the crime, a total of 6,298 flavored vape cartridges, valued at approximately $189,000 was seized from the business. The investigation is currently still in progress and the Police Department is coordinating with the District Attorney’s Office to file charges.
The San Mateo Police Department continues to urge residents to report any suspicious activities related to the sale and distribution of flavored tobacco products. Through proactive community engagement and collaborative efforts, San Mateo Police Department strives to address emerging challenges while protecting the youth of the community and stopping the illegal distribution of flavored tobacco products that can tempt our youth.
If you are trying to stop using tobacco products, know of someone trying to stop, or trying to support a youth from using tobacco products, please use the resources provided in the link.
Help Quitting Tobacco - San Mateo County Health (smchealth.org)
Ending Youth Access to Tobacco - San Mateo County Health (smchealth.org)
MEDIA CONTACT
Jerami Surratt
Public Information Officer | Support Services
City of San Mateo Police Department
200 Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403
650-522-7626 | [email protected]
Address/Location
San Mateo, CA Police Department
200 Franklin Pkwy
San Mateo, CA 94403
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 650-522-7700
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