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).
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Media Release - Camarillo Tobacco Decoy Operation
| Nature of Incident: | Tobacco Decoy Operation | ||||
| Location: | Various Retail Locations ~ City of Camarillo | ||||
| Date: | March 8, 2025 | ||||
| Unit(s) Responsible: | Camarillo Community Resources Unit, Camarillo City Code Enforcement |
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| Suspects: |
City of Residence |
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| Springville Market (634 Camino Tierra Santa) Valero Gas Station (256 Carmen Drive) A to Z Smoke and Vape (5237 Mission Oaks Blvd) |
Camarillo Camarillo Camarillo |
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| Narrative: | |||||
| On March 8th, 2025, members of the Camarillo Community Resources Unit and Camarillo City Code Enforcement conducted a tobacco decoy operation, using an underage decoy. The operation resulted in three misdemeanor citations. 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 25 businesses checked during the operation, three businesses sold tobacco products to an underage decoy: Springville Market located at 634 Camino Tierra Santa, Valero Gas Station located at 256 Carmen Drive, and A to Z Smoke and Vape located at 5237 Mission Oaks Boulevard. Clerks of a corporation/business/retailer who sell, give or furnish tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21 years old have committed a misdemeanor crime and can face a fine of $500 for a first offense, then $1,000 for a second offense, and $5,000 for a third offense. In addition, violators and multiple businesses were educated on the current laws regarding tobacco sales by Camarillo City Code Enforcement. The California Department of Public Health may take administrative action against the license of the business where tobacco products were sold to the underage decoy. That may include a fine, suspension, or the permanent revocation of the license. An underage decoy operation involves a person under the age of 21 years old who enters establishments and attempts to purchase tobacco products. The underage decoy appears young, provides identification when asked, and makes no attempts to mislead the seller. The decoy is supervised by peace officers during the process. The Camarillo Police Department will continue to work with Camarillo City Code Enforcement and Ventura County Public Health to educate and enforce against any underage tobacco sales. The tobacco decoy operation was paid for by a newly acquired Tobacco Grant from the California Department of Justice. 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. The Camarillo Police Department would like to remind parents to talk to their children about the dangers of using drugs (like tobacco) and alcohol. Parents play an important role in limiting access to unsafe items in the home and educating their children about drug and alcohol safety. Anyone who knows of adults furnishing tobacco products to minors or establishments who sell tobacco products to minors please call the Sheriff’s Office at (805) 654-9511 or email Senior Deputy Ryan Shoden with CRU (ryan.shoden@ventura.org). People who call can remain anonymous. |
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| Prepared by: | Senior Deputy Ryan Shoden | ||||
| News Release Date: | March 12, 2025 | ||||
| Media Follow-Up Contact: | Senior Deputy Ryan Shoden (805) 388-5131 |
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| Approved by: |
Captain Jason Hendren |
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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).
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Address/Location
Ventura County Sheriff's Office
800 S Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-654-9511