Full Notification

Nature of Incident:
Tobacco Decoy Operation

Location:
Various Retail Locations ~ City of Camarillo

Date:
September 5, 2025

Unit(s) Responsible:
Camarillo Community Resources Unit, Camarillo City Code Enforcement
 

Suspects:
 7-Eleven (4418 E. Central Avenue)
Ralph’s Gas (672 Las Posas Road)
Crossroads Market (4421 Las Posas Road #A)
JR Smoke Zone (2650 Ventura Boulevard)
Shell Gas (4007 Adolfo Road)
 
City of Residence 
Camarillo
Camarillo
Camarillo
Camarillo
Camarillo
 
Narrative:

On September 5th, 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 five misdemeanor citations.
 
Out of the 21 businesses checked during the operation, clerks at five businesses sold tobacco products to an underage decoy. The five businesses were: 7-Eleven located at 4418 E. Central Avenue, Ralph’s Gas located at 672 Las Posas Road, Crossroads Market & Liquor located at 4421 Las Posas Road #A, JR Smoke Zone located at 2650 Ventura Boulevard, and Shell Gas located at 4007 Adolfo Road. The goal of the operation was 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.
 
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, $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 collaborate with Camarillo City Code Enforcement and Ventura County Public Health to educate and enforce against the sale of tobacco products to minors. The tobacco decoy operation was funded by a 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 wants to remind parents to talk to their children about the dangers of using drugs, such as tobacco, and alcohol. Parents have a key role in restricting access to unsafe items at home and teaching their kids about drug and alcohol safety.
 
Anyone who knows of adults furnishing tobacco products to minors or establishments that sell tobacco products to minors, please call the Sheriff’s Office at (805) 654-9511 or email Senior Deputy Matthew Koenig with CRU ([email protected]). People who call can remain anonymous. 
 
 

Prepared by:
Senior Deputy Matthew Koenig
 

News Release Date:
September 8, 2025
 

Media Follow-Up Contact:
Senior Deputy Matthew Koenig
(805) 388-5131
 
 

Approved by:
 
Captain Jason Hendren
 
  
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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