Full Notification

Nature of Incident:
Tobacco Decoy Operation

Location:
Various Retail Locations ~ City of Camarillo

Date:
November 13th and 20th, 2025

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

Suspects // City of Residence 
 
Shell Gas (1604 Ventura Blvd), Camarillo 
Cork and Bottle (1904 Ventura Blvd), Camarillo 
Ralph’s Fuel Center (672 Las Posas Rd), Camarillo 
Elegant Smoke and Vape (330 N Lantana St), Camarillo                    

Narrative:

On November 13th and November 20th, 2025, members of the Camarillo Community Resources Unit and Camarillo City Code Enforcement conducted tobacco decoy operations, using underage decoys. The operation resulted in four 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 43 businesses checked during the two-day operation, four businesses sold tobacco products to an underage decoy.  Those violations occurred at the Shell Gas located at 1604 Ventura Blvd, Cork and Bottle located at 1904 Ventura Blvd, Ralph’s Fuel Center located at 672 Las Posas Road, and Elegant Smoke and Vape located at 330 N. Lantana Street.
 
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. All clerks who sold the tobacco products were cited and released for violation of Penal Code 308(a)(1)(A)(i).
 
In addition, violators and multiple businesses were educated on the current laws regarding tobacco sales. 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 tobacco retailer license.
 
An underage decoy operation involves a person under the age of 21 years old who enters establishments and attempts to purchase tobacco products for the retailer. 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 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 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 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:
November 21, 2025
 

Media Follow-Up Contact:
Senior Deputy Matthew Koenig
(805) 279-0490
 
 

Approved by: Captain Jason Hendren
 
Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information that 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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