Community
Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
Media Release - Tobacco Decoy Operation
| Nature of Incident: | Tobacco Decoy Operation | ||||
| Location: | Various Retail Locations ~ City of Camarillo | ||||
| Date & Time: | July 30th, 2024 | ||||
| Unit(s) Responsible: | Camarillo Police Community Resources Unit, Camarillo City Code Enforcement, Ventura County Public Health | ||||
| (S)uspects_ |
City of Residence |
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| Arco Gas (650 Arneill Road) Chevron Gas (522 Las Posas Road) Ralph’s (674 Las Posas Road) |
Camarillo Camarillo Camarillo |
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| Narrative: | |||||
| On 7/30/2024, members of the Camarillo Police Community Resources Unit, Camarillo City Code Enforcement and Ventura County Public Health conducted tobacco decoy stings, using underage decoys, to purchase tobacco products at retail establishments in the city of Camarillo. The goal of the operation is to limit underage access to tobacco products and confirm businesses are operating within the law. California Penal Code Section 308(a) prohibits the sale of tobacco and tobacco paraphernalia, including electronic cigarettes, to persons under the age of 21. Out of the twenty-one businesses checked during the operation, three businesses sold tobacco products to the underage decoys. The three businesses were Arco Gas located at 650 Arneill Road, Chevron Gas located at 522 Las Posas Road, and Ralph’s located at 674 Las Posas Road. The clerks at each location were contacted by deputies and issued a misdemeanor citation. Clerks who sell to an underage decoy face a minimum fine of $200 for a first offense, it becomes a $500 fine for a second offense, and $1,000 for a third offense. In addition, violators and multiple businesses were provided education on the current laws regarding tobacco sales by Ventura County Public Health and Camarillo City Code Enforcement. The California Department of Public Health may take administrative action against the license of the business where tobacco was sold to a minor. That may include a fine, suspension, or the permanent revocation of the license. A minor decoy operation involves a person under the age of 21 years old who enters establishments and attempts to purchase tobacco. The minor decoy appears young, provides identification when asked, and makes no attempts to mislead the seller. The decoy is supervised by peace officers during the entire process. The Camarillo Police Department will continue to work with Ventura County Public Health and Camarillo City Code Enforcement to educate and enforce underage tobacco sales. If you have information about a local retailer in the city that is supplying nicotine or tobacco products to underage buyers, please report it to the Camarillo Police Community Resources Unit at 805-388-5155. The Camarillo Police Department would like to remind parents to talk to their children about the dangers of using all drugs, including tobacco and alcohol. The Camarillo Police Department would like to thank the business owners and clerks who followed the law and refused to sell to individuals under the age of 21 years old. Ventura County Public Health offers a FREE “Call It Quits” stop smoking classes! |
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| Prepared by: | Senior Deputy Ryan Shoden | ||||
| News Release Date: | 08-01-2024 | ||||
| Media Follow-Up Contact: | Senior Deputy Ryan Shoden 805-388-5131 |
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| Approved by: Booking Photo Release: |
Captain Jason Hendren YES NO (N/A) |
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Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
Address/Location
Ventura County Sheriff's Office
800 S Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-654-9511