Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On June 27, 2014, the Camarillo Police Department’s Community Resource Unit conducted a tobacco sting, using underage minor decoys, in an attempt to purchase tobacco products from various retail establishments in the City of Camarillo. The goal of this operation was to limit minors’ access to tobacco products and confirm retail establishments are abiding by the City Municipal Code and California Penal Code.

Four underage decoys were used in an attempt to purchase tobacco from 10 locations throughout the City of Camarillo. The Camarillo Police Department is very pleased to announce that no retail establishments sold tobacco products to the minor decoys. During the decoy operation, deputies did spot two subjects drinking alcohol inside a parked vehicle unrelated to the sting, and cited those individuals for the alcohol violations.

The Camarillo Community Resource Unit will continue to conduct periodic sting operations in an effort to prevent minors’ access to tobacco products.

Nature of Incident: Tobacco Decoy Sting Operation
Location: Various Retail Locations - City of Camarillo
Date & Time: June 27, 2014
Unit(s) Responsible: Camarillo Police Department’s Community Resource Unit
Prepared by: Sergeant John Franchi #2549
Media Release Date: June 27, 2014
Follow-Up Contact: Sergeant John Franchi (805) 388-5135
Approved by: Captain Eric Dowd

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).