For Immediate Release: January 11, 2025
OPD News:
OPD ABAT Cracks Down on Illegal Tobacco Sales in West Oakland
The Oakland Police Department (OPD) Alcohol Beverage Action Team (ABAT) investigated an unlicensed smoke shop in West Oakland. On June 6, 2025, the ABAT team responded to tips from community members indicating that illegal activity was taking place at a shop in the 3200 Block of Martin Luther King Jr. Way.
During the inspection, officers seized large quantities of prohibited flavored tobacco products and out-of-state, untaxed cigarettes in violation of state law. Through the course of the investigation, it was determined there was no CA Department of Tax and Fee tobacco license nor City of Oakland Tobacco Retail License, which is required to vend tobacco products.
Officers did not make any arrests and forwarded the case to the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office for review and possible civil charges.
OPD will continue to focus on educating store owners about the serious consequences associated with selling unlawful flavored tobacco products.
The California Department of Justice funded this enforcement through a three-year grant supported by Proposition 56.
OPD remains committed to community safety and building trust with residents.
We encourage community members to continue reporting any suspicious or illegal activities related to the sale of tobacco products and sales to minors in Oakland to our ABAT Complaint Hotline at (510) 777-8677.
