This month, members of the Okeechobee Narcotics Task Force conducted an undercover operation targeting e-cigarette/vape pens sales to underage minors within Okeechobee, Florida.
Several stores in which the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office has received numerous complaints regarding selling vape pens/e-cigarettes to underage minors were targeted.
During the operation, ten (10) stores were targeted with underage minors to purchase vape pens/e-cigarettes from four different businesses, each without providing identification to show proof of age. (Per Florida statute 569, it is unlawful to sell or give tobacco to a person under the age of 21, which is a second-degree misdemeanor.)
The following four stores Bill’s Mini Mart, Town Star Hwy 710, One Stop Food Store, and the Tobacco Store, and the following individuals were issued a criminal summons for the violation: David Troy Karratti (35), Caitlin Ann Murphy (18), Delaine Ann-Marie Henry (52), and Edward Thomas Lundsford (38).
The Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office will continue conducting random undercover operations of local businesses selling vape pens/e-cigarettes to underage minors.
We appreciate those who came forward and provided information about the targeted establishments. Want to leave a tip, as these tipsters did, call 863.763.7787 and leave a message at the beep
#okeesheriff #okeechobeecounty #okeechobeesheriff #fsa #okeestrong #sheriffnoel #okeenarctaskforce
Original source can be found here.
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