5 Cited in Tobacco Sales Compliance Check

Deputies issued 5 citations to store clerks for illegal tobacco sales

COACHELLA — Deputies assigned to the Coachella Community Action Team on March 7 carried out a Minor Decoy Operation as part of a tobacco sales compliance check, according to Sgt. Tom Anderson.

The Minor Decoy Operation utilized individuals aged 18 to 20, working under direct supervision of deputies, attempting to procure tobacco from 29 retail licensees within the city of Coachella.
Throughout this initiative, deputies issued 5 citations to store clerks for the illegal sale of tobacco products to individuals under the age of 21, in violation of California State Law.

In 2022, the City of Coachella secured a grant funded by the state, which provided financial support for this operation.

The primary aim was to curtail the usage and exposure of adolescents to tobacco and related products. Notably, this operation was facilitated through the Department of Justice Tobacco Grant, financed by the California Healthcare, Research, and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016, as ratified by voters under Proposition 56.

Anyone with information related to criminal activity within the City of Coachella is encouraged to contact the Thermal Station’s Coachella Community Action Team at (760) 863–8990. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Valley Crimestoppers at (760) 341–7867.